OXFORD City were unable to prevent Barrow making it eight games unbeaten after a 1-0 defeat at Marsh Lane in Skrill North last night.

City’s best chance came early on when Mark Bell hit a post, while Barrow’s winner came in bizarre circumstances.

Mark Scott’s mis-placed clearance fell to Phil Marsh on 11 minutes and the keeper slipped as he tried to recover his ground.

Marsh lobbed the ball over him for the only goal of the night.

Darren Pond tested Barrow keeper Tony McMillan from 20 yards in the opening minute before Bell struck the upright from Jamie Cook’s corner.

Paddy Lacey wasted a good chance to make it 2-0 from Duran Reynolds’s cross, while Barrow teammate Mark Rushton shot just wide when well placed.

Gale-force wind and rain meant there was little flowing football, particularly in the second half.

Kayden Jackson broke quickly for City, but McMillan got down well to save.

At the other end, Scott made an excellent stop to deny Sam Sheridan, but City were left to rue what might have been.

However, Mike Ford’s side lost no ground in their relegation battle as Histon were beaten 2-1 at home by Boston United.

City still have three games in hand on Stalybridge and two on Histon.

Oxford City: Scott, Benjamin, Stone-house, Pook, Henderson, Willmott, Jackson, Malone (Symons 53), Cook, Pond (Joyce 77), Bell (McNish 63). Subs not used: Learoyd, Ballard.

Referee: S Plane.

Attendance: 197.