Oxford City 2 AFC Telford 0 - match report
AFC Telford United remain top of the Skrill Conference North but lost valuable ground in the title race as the 10-man Bucks were defeated at Oxford City.
Adam Learoyd's second-half header broke the deadlock, shortly after Dan Preston picked up a straight red card for Telford, before substitute Tim Winters put the game beyond their reach.
Liam Watson's side are still at the summit by a point, as North Ferriby United's game at home to Stalybridge Celtic was postponed, but the Villagers now have a game in hand.
An uneventful first-half suddenly sparked into controversy in the 51st minute when Preston hauled down Kayden Jackson, with the striker near to goal.
Referee Ashwin Degnarain ruled the defender had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity, despite arguments the City attacker hadn't got the ball under control.
Six minutes later, goalkeeper Ryan Young came to Telford's rescue with a fine push wide from Jackson's effort, but it proved only a temporary reprieve.
From the resulting corner, Darren Pond floated the ball to an unmarked Learoyd on the edge of the box, with his free header looping over Young and his defence and into the far corner.
Telford's best chance of an equaliser came and went with 15 minutes to go when Adam Farrell hooked into the path of substitute Mike Phenix to burst forward.
Goalkeeper Mark Scott slid in to block the ball away but Chris Willmott had to make doubly sure with another clearance from the ground, with Shaun Whalley in close proximity.
City finally killed the away side off with a second goal in the 85th minute despite Young's best efforts, somehow palming away Winters' shot at point-blank range.
The shot-stopper had no clue where the ball had landed as Winters regained his composure, lifting the ball into the net on the turn to settle a surprise result.
