NANA Owusu scored two penalties as Oxford City climbed the table with a 2-1 win over Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday.

The success over their fellow Vanarama National League South strugglers took the hosts to 12th.

The striker was on target in the first 15 minutes of each half, while Dominic Vose scored between the two as he brought the visitors level just after the half-hour mark.

Owusu was one of three changes to City’s starting line-up, with new signing Jaanai Gordon named on the bench after joining from Banbury United at the end of last week.

After a slow start, the game came to life when Kyran Lofthouse burst into the box on the right flank and was brought down by Richard Orlu’s outstretched leg.

Owusu fired powerfully down the centre to put City ahead.

The visitors enjoyed plenty of the ball after the goal, however, and levelled on 36 minutes.

Vose picked up the ball just outside the penalty area and drilled a shot past Craig King from 20 yards.

Josh Ashby was inches away from restoring City’s lead almost instantly, but his shot hammered against the underside of the crossbar and bounced to safety.

The hosts did go back in front early in the second period.

Elliot Benyon was fouled in the area and once again Owusu found the net from 12 yards, again choosing to drive his effort down the centre of the goal.

Dulwich almost replied immediately, but King produced a fine save to deny Vose.

Lofthouse thought he had made it 3-1 when he converted Zac McEachran’s cross, only for an offside flag to cut short the celebrations.

Gordon came on for his City debut with 20 minutes remaining, replacing Benyon.

At the other end of the pitch, King had a lucky escape when he missed his punch from a cross, but Christian Smith fired wide of the target.

Oxford City: King, Jones, Jefford, Ashby, Benyon (Gordon 69), McEachran (Fleet 82), Owusu, Self, Berkoe, Lofthouse, Tapp. Subs not used: Wiltshire, Rowe, Brown.

Attendance: 323.