MARK Jones has called for a quick reaction to Oxford City’s first defeat in five games when his side face Welling United tomorrow.

The club travel to London looking to bounce back from last weekend’s narrow defeat at home to high-flying Havant & Waterlooville in Vanarama National League South.

After four wins on the bounce, City, who sit seven points above the relegation zone, were beaten 1-0 by the new leaders at Court Place Farm six days ago.

But Jones says he was not too concerned their good run was ended by the team he tips for the title.

He said: “I think last week was one of those games where both teams cancelled each other out a little bit.

“Havant are a very good side and I have no doubt they will go on to win the league.

“We worked really hard and so I was not disappointed with our effort and our work rate.

“It was just on the day we didn’t really function as an attacking unit and didn’t cause them enough problems.”

With sides below City picking up points last week, Jones insists they will be fighting to avoid being dragged back into a relegation battle.

He said: “We’ve picked up 12 points out of the last 15, so compared to a month ago, we are in a much better position.

“But we still need to pick up points, because we are not safe.

“We have games coming up against sides below us, and we can’t really afford to slip again.”

City have a number of injury concerns as they will be without talented young defender Udoka Godwin-Malife (calf), while keeper Craig King (knee) and full back Freddie Grant (groin) are slight doubts.

Meanwhile, Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain has been recalled by parent club Portsmouth.

Jones added: “Welling is never an easy place to go.

“They are a hard-working side and have had a reasonable season.

“We just need to get something from the game, because we won’t want to go into the Dartford match next week on the back of two defeats.”

TOMORROW’S TEAM

Oxford City (v Welling Utd, away): from King, Jones, Grant, Poku, Oastler, Musonda, Fofana, McEachran, Fleet, Paterson, Nombe, Forde, Sinclair, Stevens.