CHELMSFORD City’s impressive form was brought to a surprising halt by lowly Oxford City on Saturday.

The Clarets went down 2-0 at Marsh Lane, after boss Rod Stringer named an unchanged side to the team that beat Weston-super-Mare 1-0 last Tuesday.

The away side pushed the tempo early on and came close to netting twice, but Phil Roberts headed over before Anthony Church’s effort was cleared off the line by Eddie Jones.

But Oxford landed the first blow. Craig Braham-Barrett lost the ball cheaply in midfield, allowing Sam Nombe to drive forward and drill a low shot past Sam Beasant to open the scoring after seven minutes.

Oxford had half chances to extend that advantage but they were not taken while City came close to levelling when Taylor Miles’ corner was flicked across goal, but Roberts was unable to head home at the far post.

The Clarets threatened to level just before the break, but Miles curled a free-kick agonisingly wide of the post.

City made a double change at half-time as they looked to get back into the game but it didn’t take long for the hosts to double their lead.

Substitute Scott Davies failed to deal with the danger and lost the ball to Nombe. The on-loan striker burst forward and instinctively fired past Beasant from just inside the penalty area.

Chances came and went for both teams but it was to end 2-0.

Chelmsford City: Beasant, Braham-Barrett, Smith, Spillane, Omosuzi (Green 62’), Graham, Church, Miles (Davies 46’), Giles, Roberts, Oyenuga (Batt 46’)