Torquay the talk

Ian Atkins' half-time chat worked wonders at Plainmoor as United came back from a two goal deficit to level the scores and then come from behind for a second time, for the second successive game, to eventually share the points. Torquay took the lead after 19 minutes through David Graham and Greg Goodridge doubled their score just four minutes later. Manny Omoyinmi, on as a second half substitute for Wayne Hatswell, pulled a goal back for United after being on the pitch for just eight seconds. Captain Andy Crosby scored his first Oxford goal to equalise with a volley from a Paul Powell corner in the 57th minute. Richard Logan, on loan to Torquay from Ipswich, put the home side ahead again with an excellent strike in the 72nd minute, but Paul Moody secured a point for the Us with an equaliser seven minutes later.

United started with the same line-up and formation as began the game against Mansfield last week, with new loan signing Matthew Bound on the bench and Jamie Brooks failing to make the squad. After Omoyinmi replaced Hatswell at half-time, with Powell dropping to the vacated left back position, Phil Gray came on for Sam Stockley. This move saw Manny switch from the left to the right wing and Andy Scott drop back to the left wing position. After Moody's equaliser the striker was replaced by Dean Whitehead, back from suspension, as Oxford tried to consolidate and ensure that they left Devon with at least one point.

Referee Trevor Parkes, who was in charge of United's previous match in Devon, at Exeter, handed out yellow cards to Stockley and Gray. The attendance was 2,463 and a match report, written by Godalming Yellow, can be found here.

United remain in 17th position as a result of this draw, but Torquay rise one place to 20th, leapfrogging York City who didn't have a game. Halifax remain bottom, seven points behind Oxford. Top side Plymouth lost 2-1 at Scunthorpe, who have risen to sixth, to leave themselves just five points ahead of United's next opponents, second-placed Luton, who drew 2-2 with Hartlepool at Kenilworth Road.

Former Us on target include Darren Purse, whose 14th minute penalty for Birmingham City won their game at home to Walsall. Andy Thomson scored both of QPR's goals, the second a penalty, in their 2-1 win at Bournemouth.