Scott steals a point

A 68th minute goal from leading scorer Andy Scott secured a useful point for United, which they barely deserved. Playing against the worst team in the country, Oxford looked distinctly second best all afternoon, with all the desire belonging to the home side. United were given the perfect start when, after just ten minutes, Andy Roscoe committed a blatant handball in the area and skipper Andy Crosby stepped up to score his 7th goal of the season. The lead lasted less than a minute before a poor attempt at a clearance by Matt Bound allowed Sean Devine an equaliser. Quarter of an hour later Exeter's best player, Justin Walker, scored a soft header that Andy Woodman failed to prevent crossing the line. Exeter could have extended their lead before Scott rescued a point, but after that it was United who had the better chances and Scott, Bobby Ford and Jefferson Louis all went close.

As expected Dave Waterman dropped into central defence to cover for the suspended Paul McCarthy, with Waterman's midfield role being taken by Roy Hunter. At half-time Dave Savage was replaced by Manny Omoyinmi, who immediately caused problems for the City defence with his pace and darting runs. Ten minutes later Louis came on for Dominic Foley, and with just four minutes remaining Dean Whitehead came on for Ford.

This was referee P Walton's first Oxford game this season, and he marred his copybook for a number of poor decisions which caused ire amongst both home and away supporters. Indeed he was forced to send off Exeter boss Gary Peters who marched onto the pitch to remonstrate after Walton failed to award a free kick when Walker went down in the build-up to United's equaliser. He also showed a yellow card to Louis for getting held down too often. The attendance was 4,900 which was Exeter's third best of the season, after Torquay (of course) and Bristol Rovers (also of course). Paul Beevers has written a match report which can be found here.

United have gone back to fifth after this point, going back above Bury, who won 2-1 at Rochdale last night. Exeter remain bottom, now four points from safety. Rushden & Diamonds confirmed their place in Division Two next season, and took over the lead of Div Three, with a 2-1 win at third bottom Carlisle. Former leaders Hartlepool were also promoted, despite going down 4-0 at Scunthorpe, who are now 7th, and which doesn't augur well for United's visit to Glanford Park next Saturday. Wrexham consolidated their position in third place with a convincing 2-0 win at Kidderminster, who have dropped to 11th. They are now six points above Oxford with a game in hand. The game that confirmed the top two teams' promotion was Bournemouth's 3-1 defeat at Hull, a result that leaves the Cherries just two points above Oxford.

Lincoln have risen to eighth after their 1-0 win over fellow promotion candidates York, who have dropped to ninth but who are just one point below Oxford. Torquay, who are tenth just one point further behind, surprisingly lost 3-0 at Southend. Cambridge lost a bit of ground on the chasing pack after going down 3-1 at Bristol Rovers, United's opponents this Monday. Rovers are now fifth from bottom, three points above the drop zone. Shrewsbury's freefall continued as they went down 2-1 at home to Boston, who are now one place and one point above Bristol Rovers. Swansea are fourth from bottom, two points above the Shrews, following their 3-1 defeat at Leyton Orient, who are now virtually safe, nine points above the relegation places. In the day's other game Macclesfield just about ensured their place in the division for next season after beating Darlington 1-0 at Moss Rose.

Scott Guyett scored an own goal to condemn Chester to a 1-0 defeat at Nuneaton.