Cherries squashed

United ran up their best win of the season so far, putting three without reply past Bournemouth to extend the Us' unbeaten run to seven games, six of them victories. United were assisted somewhat by the dismissal after just 14 minutes of Bournemouth midfielder Marcus Browning for notching up two yellow cards in the space of a minute. Marvellous. Substitute Dean Whitehead put United on their way after half an hour, concluding a good passing move by rifling home. In the second half Oxford had some sustained pressure, but weren't able to make their numerical advantage tell until 16 minutes from time. Sub David Oldfield allowed a Steve Basham pass to run through to Roy Hunter whose left footed shot gave Cherries' debutant 'keeper Alan Blayney, on loan from Southampton, no chance. Just two minutes later the same three players combined again, this time David Oldfield lashed the ball home for his first goal at the KasStad.

Ian Atkins made one change from the side that drew with Exeter, Roy Hunter coming in for his first home start in place of Dave Savage. James Hunt hobbled off to be replaced by Whitehead after just ten minutes. Jefferson Louis was substituted for Oldfield after 65 minutes in the move that changed the game, and Whitehead himself had to go off with what looked like a groinstrain eleven minutes from time, to be replaced by Andy Scott.

M Warren was today's rather card-happy referee, booking three Bournemouth players apart from Browning, plus Louis and Dave Waterman from United. Warren had previously reffed United's defeat at Wrexham. Today's attendance was 8,349, the second highest in the Division after Hull who played their first home game at their new stadium today. A match report can be found here.

Oxford have risen into the play-off positions as a result of these three points, now sixth in the table and just two points behind third placed Cambridge, who drew 1-1 with Southend, with a game in hand. Bournemouth have dropped a place to fourth. United's next opponents, Rushden & Diamonds, have gone into top spot after drawing 0-0 at Scunthorpe, whilst Hartlepool have dropped to second following their 2-0 defeat at Hull. Bury are fifth after crashing 4-1 at Shrewsbury. The remaining play-off position is occupied by Wrexham, who drew 2-2 at Rochdale.

Swansea City have gone bottom of the league after losing 1-0 at home to previous incumbents Bristol Rovers. Carlisle's 2-2 draw with Darlington was enough to see them fall into penultimate position. Third bottom Exeter's game at Torquay was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Boston United have lifted themselves up to fifth from bottom after beating York 3-0, with Stuart Douglas scoring twice. Macclesfield also remain uncomfortably close to the drop zone after going down 1-0 at home to Lincoln. The division's other game saw Kidderminster overcome Orient by 3-2.