City picked up their second home Southern League premier division win of the season and also kept their first clean sheet, as they deservedly sent the Hertfordshire visitors to only their second league defeat.

First goals of the season for defenders Shane White and Rob Farkins (his first for the club) in the opening 25 minutes, put the home side in command, but it was not until stoppage time that Isaac Vassell added a third to wrap up City's first home victory on a Saturday this season.

City boss Steve Tully made four changes to the team that started the 1-0 defeat at Corby Town, with keeper Kyle Moore replacing the unavailable Mike Searle,

White returned at right back after suspension in place of Tully, while Jamie Lowry took over from the injured Jake Ash in midfield, with Barry Hayles leading the attack and Les Afful dropping to the bench, where he was joined by new signing Ryan Brett (who played the final 16 minutes), after he was given the all clear from his broken foot sustained while playing for Salisbury City in the final game of last season.

The home side began well and went ahead after 12 minutes when White fired home off the underside of the bar after Michael Johnson had kept out Craig Duff's header.

And they doubled their advantage 12 minutes later with Rob Farkins powerfully heading home Jamie Lowry's corner.

It was all City, with Cody Cooke denied by a last ditch tackle and then he put curling a shot just wide of the far post.

But they were unable to find a third and the visitors finished the half strongly with Brett Donnelly heading wide.

In the second half, City soon started to create more chances, with Vassell shooting wide and Cooke having a header cleared off the line and then heading wide of the far post when he should really have scored from Dan Green's centre.

Hitchin though still carried a threat, but found the City defence in determined form, with Farkins and central defensive partner Arran Pugh outstanding.

Substitute Ben Watson hit the post for City with a low drive, but there was a let off for the home team when Donnelly failed to get direction on a header with only Moore to beat.

It was not until the first minute of stoppage time that City fans could relax, with Vassell taking advantage of confusion in the Hitchin defence to round Johnson and find the empty net.

City, who are now up to 11th in the table, travel to 16th -placed Dorchester on Tuesday evening with an unchanged squad.

CITY: Moore; White, Pugh, Farkins, Long; Green (capt), Lowry, Duff (Brett 74), Vassell, Cooke, Hayles (Watson 57). Subs (not used): Afful, Tully.

Yellow cards: None.

HITCHIN TOWN: Johnson; Rolfe, Walster, Ann (capt), Corran, Jones (Smith 72), McNamara (Burns 72), Barker, Donnelly, Lench, Wharton (King 33). Subs (not used): Chabata, Webb.

Yellow cards: Rolfe, Ann,

Goals: White (12) 1-0, Farkins (24) 2-0, Vassell (90+1) 3-0.

City man of the match: Rob Farkins

Referee: Marc Whaley

Crowd: 448.