OXFORD City manager Mark Jones is still seething at two contentious decisions that contributed to their 2-0 defeat atSlough Town last week.

Keeper Craig King conceded a penalty, which led to Slough’s first goal, while Joe Oastler was sent off just before half-time for a foul.

It means the City skipper will now miss tomorrow’s Vanarama National League South match at home to Bath City through suspension.

“We are honest enough to admit that we were disappointed in our performance at Slough,” said Jones. “But we felt a bit hard done by for sure.

“The sending-off of Joe was very harsh, and the penalty that was given was a questionable decision to say the least.

“Joe now has to serve a one-game ban. That is a massive blow, because last season, Joe played every minute of every game.

“Since he signed for us, this will be the first game he misses.

“For a centre half, that’s a great record, so it’s a real shame for him.”

Tomorrow, City welcome back Udoka Godwin-Malife, who missed out last week with tonsillitis.

Mike Atkinson returns after being on international duty with Belize, but Rob Sinclair (hamstring) and Abraham Eze (shoulder) remain side-lined.

“Rob is making good progress, but he is not quite back to fitness,” Jones said.

“It wasn’t just a little pull of his hamstring, it was a tear, so we need to be really careful.”

Looking towards the game,which will see former Oxford United players Ryan Clarke and Sean Rigg in action, Jones said: “We always seem to have quite close games against Bath, and I expect that to be the case again.

“We’ve got a lot of respect for them, but they, like us, have been a little bit up and down this season so far.”

Oxford City (v Bath City Tn, home): from King, Godwin-Malife, Jefford, Ruddick, McEachran, Fleet, Ashby, Paterson, Tshimanga, Wiltshire, Stewart, Fasanmade, Grantham, Krasniqi, Atkinson.

  • OXFORD City will be at home to Cray Valley PM in the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup after the Southern Counties East side won their replay against Merstham 4-1 on penalties after a 3-3 draw. The tie will be played on September 22.