OXFORD City were narrowly beaten on the road at Buxton, as the Hoops continue to hover just above the Vanarama National League North relegation zone.

The hosts took the lead when Ben Sault received the ball on the edge of the penalty box and fired an effort past Jonathan Macaulay with only nine minutes on the clock.

City grew into the game though and found a leveller not long after the half an hour mark.

Jayden Carbon worked space down the right-hand side and sent a cross-shot which flew into the back of the net.

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Watford loanee Macaulay made a strong save to keep the score level in the second half when a cross was floated into the box, and while no home player could find a finishing touch, Macaulay pounced on the ball.

The Bucks restored their lead though with just over quarter of an hour to go, as Macaulay parried Josh Popoola’s shot into the path of Ryan Viggars, who tapped home.

With 10 minutes to go, the Hoops thought they had found another equaliser when Josh Parker hit the back of the net, but the celebrations were quickly muted when the linesman flagged the striker offside.

The defeat leaves City 20th in the National League North table, clear of the relegation zone by a single point.

The Hoops make the trip to eighth-placed Chester on Tuesday night.