One more to go

United's defeat at Bournemouth tonight means that if they lose one more game they will definitely be playing Third Division football next season. Yet again the U's lost by the odd goal in seven, yet again after being in the lead. In fact Phil Gray, playing for the injured Manny Omoyinmi in the only change from Saturday's starting line-up, put United in front after just 10 seconds. Oxford's inability to hold onto a lead was displayed just 90 seconds later when James Hayter equalised. Ten minutes into the second half Richard Hughes put the home side ahead but United pulled level on the hour when Gray converted a penalty. Three minutes later Hughes scored his second to restore Bournemouth's lead. In the 68th minute good work by substitute Joey Beauchamp, on for Paul Powell for the fourth game in succession, enabled Robert Quinn to make the score 3-3 before Warren Feeney finished off the scoring seven minutes from time to ensure that the day was, yet again, pointless for Oxford. United's other substitution, made at the same time as Powell's, saw Sam Ricketts replaced by Matt Murphy. The attendance was 3,747, the referee was K Hill of Royston, and a match report is here.

Swansea also lost tonight, 3-0 at Colchester, so United remain seven points adrift and their ambition must now be to try and finish above the Welshmen. Bristol Rovers drew 1-1 with Bristol City to leave them seven points behind fifth-bottom swindon but still with three games in hand. Luton drew 1-1 at home to Reading to leave the Hatters eight points from safety with nine games remaining. Port Vale also drew 1-1, their opponents being Wrexham, to give them an eight point cushion above the relegation zone, so we can effectively forget about them for now.