Oxen gassed

Despite taking a lead through Jon Richardson in the 21st minute United contrived to lose 6-2 to Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium this afternoon. Christian Lee equalised for Rovers five mintues later and Nathan Ellington put the home side ahead five minutes into the second half. Vitalijs Astafjevs increased Rovers' lead in the 67th minute but six minutes later Andy Scott reduced the arrears. Richard Knight was sent off four minutes later and Phil Wilson saved Dwayne Plummer's resultant penalty but Ellington scored from the rebound. Then United's old adversary Mark Walters made the score 5-2 with four minutes remaining and in injury time he scored a second penalty to complete the scoring.

United made one change from the side which started against Reading, bringing Manny Omoyinmi on for Phil Gray. In the second half Dean Whitehead replaced Sam Ricketts and later on Gray came on for Peter Fear. With Knight's dismissal Wilson was the third substitute, coming on in place of Jon Richardson who had previously been injured. In addition to Knight's red card Wilson and Joey Beauchamp were both booked. The attendance was 7,554 and a match report can be found here.

This result takes Rovers to within one point of swindon, who drew 0-0 at Wycombe, with two games in hand on them. It also sends Cambridge below them into the relegation zone who are also one point behind swindon having played two games fewer, not having played today. Swansea lost 2-1 at home to Oldham to ensure that they'll be joining United in the Third Division next season and Luton also lost 2-1 at home to Bury, meaning that if they lose one more of their four remaining matches they will also be joining us.

In the Third Cardiff's point at York was enough to promote them along with Chesterfield and Brighton, whilst Torquay have now slipped to the bottom. The big game in the Conference between Yeovil and Rushden & Diamonds ended goalless, so the Somerset team are three points behind the Northants outfit with one game in hand.