Oxford City manager Mike Ford praised the efforts of his team in their performance against Workington as they claimed three points on the road for the first time since October on Saturday.

But City had to withstand a Workington onslaught in the early stages of the encounter, though Ford, who celebrated his 47th birthday on Saturday, was impressed with the way his side grew into the game.

“We didn’t start well,” said Ford.

“We were sloppy and didn’t take responsibility for doing our jobs.

“But then we got a goal and it gave us something to hold on to.

“In the second half, we were tremendous, we cut them open and could have got three or four.”

The victory moved City up to seventh place in Blue Square Bet North, just four points outside the play-offs.

But Ford was keen to play down any prospect of a second successive promotion for the Court Place Farm outfit.

He added: “Our priority is to remain in this division next year.

“Everyone will say we’ve got no chance of getting relegated.

“We’re about 18 or 19 points clear of that now.

“But I want to get across that 45-point barrier as quick as possible.

“Then we can kick on and finish as high as we can.”