Tunde Owolabi’s first-half goal put the Boro ahead on the 28-minute mark, but Oxford’s equaliser in added time, before further blows after the restart denied Radcliffe anything from the game, as the visitors left with maximum points.

After back-to-back wins away from home, Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley named an unchanged eleven for the third consecutive match, with the bonus of having Tom Walker back from injury and fit enough to make the bench.

The games first chance came through Brad Jackson, the right wing-back made a skillful run and was able to deliver the ball into the danger area after playing a quick one-two. Jalen Jones was well placed to head the ball clear, but it only went as far as Matt Sargent who got the ball out of his feet and took aim at the target, his effort went narrowly wide of the post.

Oxford City looked to have their first sight at goal in the tenth minute with their first corner, however Anthony Dudley was positioned well to head the ball away. In doing so he set Radcliffe away on the break, Tunde Owolabi picked out the run of Sargent in the left channel but the midfielder’s ball into the danger zone was too close to the Hoops ‘keeper.

Tom Scott picked up the first booking of the game as he gave Radcliffe an opportunity to test the City defence, which the the Boro gratefully took advantage of to open the scoring.

The initial ball into the area was won by the visitors but Radcliffe were first to the second and Rick Smith battled to flick across the six-yard area, into the space where Owolabi lurked as the number 30 poked home his third goal in five matches after 28 minutes.

Radcliffe continued to threaten, as Jackson made a long run at the heart of Oxford City’s defence but was unable to find a killer ball before being smothered by the visiting defenders who got back in numbers at speed.

Just thirty seconds before the break, the away side were level. Zac McEachran passed Corie Andrews through one-on-one with Mateusz Hewelt, who was unable to push the striker wide enough as he rounded the ‘keeper and rolled the ball into the back of the net.

After the restart, Owolabi was played in behind the opposition defence by Dudley, who cleverly flicked the ball around his man. The striker attempted to run directly at goal but was forced wide and resulted in a corner for the Boro.

From the following set piece, another chance went the way of Radcliffe. This time it was Brad Roscoe who manoeuvred to send the ball goalwards, however McKenzie-Lyle was down well to stop the ball on the line.

In the 61st minute, the visitors took the lead. McEachran was teed up for a shot from the edge of the area that was spilled by the Polish ‘keeper, and Scott was in the right place to take advantage by slotting the ball into the far corner.

Radcliffe made a triple change as they went in search of an equaliser, as Hancock, Dudley and Jackson were replaced by Tom Walker, Nicky Adams and Jamie Morgan, the latter entering the field for his 50th Boro appearance.

Oxford extended their advantage in the 77th minute as Zac McEachran added a third for the away side with a well-placed shot into the bottom right corner from the edge of the area, after Parker had threaded the ball through on goal for the number ten.

Six additional minutes were played at the end of the match, but Radcliffe were unable to create any chances of note in the final minutes as the referee blew for full-time with the scoreline at 3-1.

It’s a quick turnaround for Radcliffe as we return to action on Tuesday, with Buxton making the midweek journey to the Neuven Stadium – buy your tickets online here!