MARK Jones is hopeful that Oxford City’s 7-0 mauling of local rivals North Leigh last week can stand them in good stead as they bid to pull away from the bottom of the Vanarama National League South.

City go into tomorrow’s trip to Braintree Town with just three teams below them in the table.

They face an Essex side who have been in good form and are up to sixth after a decent run of results.

But the City boss believes that his side can turn the corner in the league, and is targeting victory.

Jones said: “Obviously we are not happy with where we are in the league – we need to start getting some points on the board and quickly.

“The aim will be to go to Braintree to win the game, although a point wouldn’t be a bad return.

But at this stage, the bottom line is we need wins to pull away from the bottom.”

City, however, have a raft of injury concerns.

Tarik Moore-Azille (dead leg) is struggling, Eddie Jones (groin) is ruled out, while Zac McEachran’s knee injury continues to cause concern.

Goalkeeper Craig King will be rested, with Harry Isted returning after missing the Emirates FA Cup win after parent club Luton Town refused to let him become cup-tied.

Jones names a youthful side, saying he will give chances to the young players that served City well last week.

He said: “We will stick with some of the younger players and give them an opportunity.

“Rhys King did well when he came on last week, scoring almost straight away.

“I’ve always given young players a chance, but we do need to balance that off with winning games of football.

“We’ve only had one defeat in four games, and we’re certainly not playing badly.

“But we need to keep some clean sheets to give us a chance to get the right results, and make sure we are clinical and ruthless in front of goal, as we were last week.

“Hopefully the result will give us a bit of confidence moving forwards.”

Oxford City (v Braintree Tn, away): from Isted, Jefford, Ashby, Moore-Azille, Oastler, Fleet, Brown, McEachran, Owusu, Self, Fasanmade, Wiltshire, Tapp, Caro, Wright, Beckles-Richards, Paul-Jones, R King.