HEREFORD boss Paul Caddis said his side need to address the problem of having players sent off, after being beaten 2-0 by Oxford City.

Alex Babos was given two yellow cards for illegally breaking up counter-attacks in five first half minutes and was given his marching orders.

After defending for with 10 men for the majority of the half City struck an 89th minute opener through Josh Ashby and then a second on the counter-attack through Josh Parker.

“It’s difficult with 10 men,” said Caddis.

“Oxford came out of the National League last season, they are a good side with good players.

“In the first half we didn’t create enough and lacked intensity. There wasn’t much in the game.

“Going down to 10 men we had to try and defend our goal, which we did really well until about 86 minutes.

“Our shape was good, the players fell comfortable and they got that goal. The second goal was on me. I went for the game.

“I won’t criticise the players for their efforts. That’s twice in the last four games we’ve played with 10 men, that’s a problem straight away.

“It’s something that we’ve got to address. You can’t keep playing football matches with 10 men, regardless who you play.

“It’s a clear sending off. Babos will be disappointed, I’m not going to slaughter him, he’s been excellent for us from the day we signed him.

“He knows that it was two seconds of absolute madness.”

After their defeat at Chester on Saturday the Bulls started on the front foot and Yusifu Ceesay shot wide early on, after goalkeeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle flapped a corner into his path.

Oxford were relegated from the National League last season and showed their danger with Parker firing wide before goalkeeper Aaron Chapman denied Zac McEachran.

However, a minute before half-time Babos was shown a second yellow card and given his marching orders.

Despite being forced to defend the Bulls limited their visitors efforts with Reece Fleet sending an effort wide and Parker firing over.

That was until nine minutes from time when Chapman was forced to deny Ashby who was through on goal.

At the opposite end Hereford almost had an 87th minute lead after Ceesay’s cross found substitute Cosmos Matwasa whose effort was saved by goalkeeper McKenzie-Lyle.

However, straight up the opposite end a long throw-in bounced around the box before finding Ashby to stab the ball home.

The Bulls threw caution to the wind with both Andy Williams and Adam Rooney coming on up front in the dying moments.

However, Oxford hit them on the break with Alfie Potter rounding the goalkeeper and finding Parker to finish.

It could have been three at the death as Oxford rushed forward and outnumbered the defence before substitute Aurio Teixeira made a saving challenge.

Hereford: Chapman, Hudson, Preston, Howkins (Rooney 89), Bartley, Campbell, D'Ath (Williams 89), Babos, Ceesay, Rose (Teixeira 64), Deacon (Matwasa 64)

Unused subs: Horton