After a tight first 15 minutes, the visitors would break the deadlock. A long throw into City’s box was unchallenged by both sets of players, allowing Alfie Rutherford the chance to fire a volley into the bottom right corner of City’s net.

James McShane would soon double the Wanderers lead after the midfielder launched a half-volley into the top left corner from 20 yards out, giving Ben Dudzinkski no chance.

However, on the half hour mark, Joe Iaciofano was brought down in the box following a late challenge. The referee instantly pointed to the spot. The forward took charge himself, and after a hop in the run up, sent Daniel Lincoln the wrong way to calmly plant the ball into the bottom right corner.

Yet, the Wanderers regained their two-goal cushion with the half-time whistle closing in. Matthew Briggs drove across the edge of the box and threaded a pass into Rutherford to finesse a cross-goal shot into the bottom left corner, grabbing his second of the game.

Half- Time: Oxford City 1-3 Dorking

City started the second half the better of the two sides and closed the gap 10 minutes after the whistle. Iaciofano’s fizzed ball across the box found the onrushing George Harmon whose effort struck the far post, but the rebound fell right to Josh Ashby who directed the ball on target and past Lincoln to decrease the deficit.

Soon after, Dorking were searching for a penalty of their own, after a tussle between Zico Asare and Niall McManus saw both players hit the deck, but the referee waived play on.

City’s attempt to get back into the game was hindered after they were reduced to 10 men, following Harvey Bradbury's straight red card for a late challenge on Joshua Taylor, with 20 minutes to go.

Substitute Alfie Potter tried to equalise late on, driving along the Wanderers 18-yard box and firing a left footed shot, but a defensive block forced the effort looping over the bar.

However, with 3 minutes of normal time left, Dorking put the game to bed. A driving run down the right from Barry Fuller ended with a cross into the path of Rutherford who guided his shot past Dudzinski to seal all 3 points for the visitors.

City’s unbeaten run comes to an end but they look forward to David Oldfield returning to the sidelines in the Boxing Day match against Slough Town at the Velocity Stadium. 

Full-Time: Oxford City 2-4 Dorking Wanderers