City lost a game they had been winning at half-time for the second week running.

Trailing to David Syers' seventh goal of the season, in-form Oxford hit back with two late goals to claim their sixth win in seven games.

But the Bantams could have little complaint after an afternoon that was dominated by the home team.

City got off to the perfect start when David Syers hooked home from Robbie Threlfall's corner after nine minutes.

It was their only shot and corner of the first half, with the rest of it spent protecting what they had got.

City had the strong wind at their backs but found themselves constantly pushed back by the home side.

Determined defending kept Oxford at bay although Lenny Pidgeley almost gave away an equaliser right on the break, fumbling an Asa Hall shot but Jack Midson could not force in the loose ball.

Pidgeley made a crucial near-post save from Tom Craddock early in the second half as Oxford looked to carry on where they had left off.

Oxford cranked up the pressure with Rob Kiernan preventing a certain goal from Craddock and Pidgeley saving at full stretch from sub James Constable.

The one-way traffic continued. Threlfall produced another fantastic sliding block and Constable thumped a free header wide.

City's resistance was finally broken 13 minutes from time. Pidgeley found Constable's shot too hot to handle and Steve Maclean forced in the rebound.

It was no surprise that having got their breakthrough at last, Oxford quickly struck again.

Constable was the provider driving low across goal and Craddock popped up at the far post to turn home.

So back-to-back defeats have left the new year bubble well and truly burst ahead of another long road trip to Aldershot on Tuesday.