Oxford City once again defied the odds by beating second-placed AFC Fylde 1-0 at the MGroup Stadium this afternoon.

A Ewan Clark goal half way through the second half was enough to give the Hoops an invaluable three points as they fought their way to a win that keeps their recent revival going as they look to pull away from the danger zone at the foot of the Enterprise National League North

It was hard work throughout. In an even first half City created the best early chance when George Burroughs put things on a plate for the non-stop Alfie Potter who couldn’t punish the Coasters and screwed his shot wide but the away side had two or three half chances from long range themselves without extending outstanding keeper Jonny Maxted on his debut in the City goal.

The game then became a battle in midfield where some tough challenges left their mark on the noses of both Potter and Josh Ashby and the shins of one or two away players, just to even things up.

Top scorer Danny Ormerod, son of Brett, miscued a header and winger Luca Thomas tested Maxted once more five minutes before the break as Fylde pressed but City had toughed it out and were deservedly level at the break.

The dangerous Thomas drove a shot wide with the first attack of the second half and Merrie forced a good save from Maxted soon after as the keeper began to look like a cert for the Player of the Match award and City had to stand firm for a while just to stay in it.

They did precisely that and after 61 minutes their fortitude paid off as Clark beat the offside trap and sprinted clear from just inside the Fylde half. Keeper Keeper Zac Jones came to meet him but Clark was in full control and passed beyond his outstretched gloves to score for the third home game in a row and make it 1-0 to The Hoops with a priceless goal.

It then became a case of seeing things through.

Nerves jangled but Darnell Johnson and new centre-back partner Aaron Harper-Bailey put up rugged resistance  matched by everyone in front of them: a clean sheet earned through teamwork and belief.

A fine display and another big step in the right direction.

CITY 

Maxted, Burroughs, Johnson, Harper-Bailey, Humphries, Ashby, Ellis, McEachran, Potter, Sturridge, Clark

Subs

Treml, Wilson, Roddy, Bearne, Wiggett, Parker, Humphrey-Ewers

Att:624

Report by Chris Williams, pictures Darrell Fisher, Steve Daniels and Mike Allen