Us step on the Gas

United extended their winning run to five games with a comfortable 2-0 victory at Bristol Rovers today. This was also the fifth consecutive game that Oxford kept a clean sheet, to leave Arsenal quaking in their (very expensive) boots. Matt Robinson opened the scoring with his first for the club after just twelve minutes and Jefferson Louis doubled the lead with his fifth of the season four minutes into the second half.

Ian Atkins had two changes forced on him due to the suspensions of Dave Savage and James Hunt, bringing in Roy Hunter for his first start and Dean Whitehead, as expected. Whitehead had to be stretchered off midway through the second half, with Andy Scott making his first appearance for six games after his injury as a replacement. Scott McNiven was then taken off to be replaced by Sam Ricketts and making another belated appearance, Abdou Sall replaced Jefferson Louis with a couple of minutes to go.

The referee was Clive Wilkes, taking charge of a United game for the first time this season. To celebrate this achievement he forgot to book anyone. The attendance was just 5,864 and hopefully some kind soul will send us a match report tomorrow?

This victory lifts United up to ninth, two points behind the last play-off spot, occupied by Cambridge United, for whom Paul Wanless scored their second goal in their 2-2 draw at Lincoln, but with a game in hand. Bristol Rovers slip to second from bottom thanks to Exeter's 1-0 win over fourth bottom Swansea. Boston slipped back to bottom spot after losing 4-2 at Southend, Mark Angel scoring Boston's second. Leaders Hartlepool were hammered 4-0 at Rochdale, allowing Rushden to close the gap to just one point as they won 1-0 at Macclesfield. Bournemouth remain third after their goalless draw at Shrewsbury, whilst Bury go fourth after a 1-0 win at Scunthorpe. Fifth place is now occupied by Wrexham who won 2-1 at third-bottom Carlisle, and York are 6th after beating Kidderminster 2-1 at Aggborough, the winner being scored by Lee Nogan. Torquay's bubble has well and truly burst as they went down 2-0 at Orient. The only other game in the Third Division ended with Darlington winning 1-0 at Hull.

In the Conference Scott Guyett scored Chester's first goal in their 4-0 win at Leigh RMI. Dean Windass scored Sheffield United's second in their 2-0 win at Reading and Matty Elliott scored Leicester's second in their 4-2 win over Millwall.