ROSS Jenkins admitted Oxford City struggled with the quick turnaround as they bowed out of the Vanarama National League South play-offs.

Dorking Wanderers proved too strong in their semi-final, winning 3-0 on a baking hot day at the Meadowbank Stadium.

The hosts finished second in the table and had a week to prepare for the tie, while City played against Eastbourne Borough less than 72 hours earlier.

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And head coach Jenkins thought that had an impact as his side started poorly and never recovered.

“We were off it, I think fatigue played a big factor in that,” he said.

“They’ve thrown their bodies on the line, they’ve run themselves into the ground on a very hot day.

“The heat has played a big factor in our recovery and our manner in which we wanted to play.

“The Eastbourne game has taken it out of us a little bit, two games in three days is difficult in any division and it showed.

“Take nothing away from Dorking, I thought they were a brilliant team and I wish them all the best in the future.”

Dorking all but sealed victory in a dominant first half an hour, as Jason Prior and Barry Fuller scored inside 18 minutes.

City finally gained a foothold before the break, only to be hit by a sucker punch when Alfie Rutherford made it 3-0 three minutes after the restart.

The visitors did not let their heads drop and Joe Iaciofano had a huge penalty shout waved away, before seeing a goal disallowed for offside.

They continued to push despite the heat, although Dorking always looked capable of scoring again.

City’s 300-plus fans gave the players a big ovation at full-time in recognition of an excellent campaign where they finished fifth in National League South.

And Jenkins was proud of his squad as their season drew to a close.

He said: “They’ve been brilliant all season.

“They’ve done exactly as we asked and we’re in a position where it’s shown that.

“It’s a privilege to take this club in this direction and hopefully we can go again next season.”