KYRAN Lofthouse scored a late winner as Oxford City beat Hungerford Town for the second time in six days.

The Oxford United loanee’s 76th-minute strike gave Andy Ballard’s side a 2-1 win at the home of the Vanarama National League South basement boys.

It followed the visitors’ 3-2 win at Court Place Farm on Boxing Day.

Josh Ashby had put City ahead with a fantastic free-kick late in the first half, but they were pegged back by Ralph Graham’s strike.

City looked to attack from the start and forced a series of corners in the opening minutes.

Liam Ferdinand, who scored Hungerford’s first goal in the previous clash, volleyed wide in the 15th minute and the hosts grew into the contest.

But the away side continued to probe and went close twice in quick succession shortly after the half-hour mark.

Reece Fleet almost scored from distance for the second game running in the 34th minute, before Ashby’s fierce effort forced a great save from the Hungerford keeper.

After finding his range, the midfielder produced a moment of quality to put City ahead on 40 minutes.

Ashby was 25 yards out when he stepped up to take the free-kick, but an excellent effort left the home stopper stranded.

It looked like the visitors would take their lead into the break, but Ferdinand fed Graham to slot home five minutes later.

Jaanai Gordon almost found an opening six minutes after half-time, but the hosts began to create the better chances.

First, Ferdinand was foiled by a great stop from Craig King, before the Hungerford man beat City’s keeper on 59 minutes, only to see his shot come off the post.

Stefan Brown and Eddie Jones replaced Gordon and Kevin Berkoe midway through the second half as the visitors searched for a winner – and with 14 minutes left, they found one.

Elliot Benyon laid a sumptuous pass into the path of Lofthouse, who drove a low shot home.

James Rusby almost responded immediately when he fired wide from a corner and King kept out Graham’s long-range effort, but City held on.

Oxford City: King, Jefford, Ashby, Oastler, Fleet, Benyon, McEachran, Berkoe (Jones 66), Lofthouse, Gordon (Brown 66), Tapp. Unused subs: Wiltshire, Owusu, George.