A FIRST-HALF own goal was enough to give Oxford City an excellent 1-0 victory at Vanarama National League South high-fliers Slough Town.

A Reece Fleet cross struck Ryan Bird’s head three minutes before the break, with home goalkeeper Jack Turner a spectator as the ball flew into the net.

Andy Ballard’s side spurned several chances to make it 2-0, but they were not made to pay as the visitors completed the double over their opponents.

The home side were almost gifted a goal of their own in the early stages, with City captain Joe Oastler nearly flicking Max Worsfold’s cross into his own net.

Craig King returned in goal after a month out through injury and he was not seriously troubled until the 26th minute.

A goalmouth scramble presented George Wells and Bird with chances to shoot, but the visitors threw their bodies on the line and eventually hacked the ball away.

Ballard’s men had barely threatened the Slough goal, but their hosts gave them a helping hand just before half-time.

Fleet did well to get a cross in from the right and his deflected centre cannoned in off Bird.

City were content to sit back and counter-attack in the second half and Kevin Berkoe drew a good save from Turner with one such break.

They threatened again shortly after the hour mark, Zac McEachran linking well with Elliot Benyon and forcing Turner into an unorthodox stop with his legs.

Slough struggled to create any clear-cut chances of their own, while second-half substitute Kyran Lofthouse kept Turner busy with a fierce shot ten minutes from the end.

Sam Togwell and Josh Jackman went close for the hosts, before Matt Lench dragged an effort wide in stoppage time.

But City had the final say as a mistake from Turner gifted the ball to Lofthouse on the right.

The Oxford United loanee had an empty net to aim at from 40 yards out, but he fired past the post.

It did not matter, as the away side held on for a triumph that saw them rise to 12th.

Oxford City: King, Jones, Jefford, Ashby, Moore-Azille, Oastler, Wiltshire (Lofthouse 77), Fleet, McEachran (George 81), Benyon (Gordon 90), Berkoe. Unused: Owusu, Foster.

Attendance: 884.