WINCHESTER City hit two late goals to crown a deserved 3-0 win over lowly Mangotsfield United at the Simplyhealth City Ground this afternoon.

Having seized an early lead through Pat Cox, the Citizens played the whole of the second-half against ten men, but didn’t add to their tally until Rob Carr and Oli Bailey struck in the closing stages of a one-sided Evo-Stik South West contest.

Fittingly City made a bright start on a sunny September afternoon and took just three minutes to get their noses in front.

Skipper Jamie Barron delivered a free-kick from the right which was cutely laid off by big defender Josh Harfield for COX to sweetly volley home his fifth goal in as many days.

The Mangos were their own worst enemy, giving away a succession of free-kicks.

But it was from another set-piece, a 25th-minute corner, that they so nearly fell further into arrears.

After Harfield had crashed a header against the bar, the visitors somehow survived a flurry of follow-up shots before the danger passed.

Two defensive bookings for Jake Gardener and Josh Jones didn’t help the Mangotsfield cause, but they were unlucky not to level on 35 minutes when a deep cross from the left narrowly evaded James Batchelor at the far post.

Back came City with another precision delivery by Barron, this time from the left, but striker Oli Bailey couldn’t quite get enough power on his diving header.

After 45 minutes riddled with fouls from the visitors, it came as no great surprise when Mangotsfield were reduced to ten men in stoppage time - Jones picking-up a second yellow for a clumsy challenge on Winchester winger Rob Carr.

Half-time Winchester City 1 Mangotsfield United 0.

The start to the second-half was delayed by an ankle injury to referee Ben Knight, forcing one of his assistants to step in.

City continued on the front foot against the ten men, playing all the football but having little joy in front of goal.

Defender Rob Flooks created a chance for himself from Barron’s corner but shot straight at on-loan Bristol Rovers 'keeper Thom Jonkerman.

Carr then had an effort disallowed before expertly teeing up Bailey whose header didn’t match the quality of the assist.

With City piling forward, it was soon Carr’s turn to be wasteful. Cox’s cushioned header picked him out free in front of goal, but his soft shot barely tested Jonkerman.

Barron then found himself one-on-one with the keeper, but somehow the midfielder got his feet in a tangle, allowing Jonkerman to intercept.

As the clock ticked down, the Mangotsfield No 1 excelled himself by saving with his feet after Bailey had cleverly twisted and turned his way into a shooting position.

Then, as Winchester surged forward again,19-year-old Dutchman Jonkerman smothered Cox’s goalbound effort at the foot of his near-post.

After so many missed opportunities, City presented the Mangos with an 86th minute free-kick on the edge of the box but Robert Hobbs bent his effort over from a dangerous position.

Just when it looked as if Winchester would never add to their lead, they trebled it in the space of two minutes.

CARR was first to strike, sliding the ball home from sub Andy Jenkinson’s assist following an 88th-minute throw-in.

And before the visitors could catch their breath, the tiny figure of BAILEY impressively held off a defender almost twice his size before lashing in number three.

Winchester City: Ryan Pryce, Dan Williamson, Danny King, Adam Tomasso, Rob Flooks, Josh Harfield, Simba Mlambo (Andy Jenkinson, 67), Jamie Barron, Oli Bailey (Ben White, 89), Pat Cox, Rob Carr (IK Hill, 89). Subs (not used): Craig Davis, Joe Hayward.

Referee: Ben  Knight.

Attendance: 161.