Oh bollox

A gutless, shapeless, depressing performance from United gifted Leyton Orient a 2-0 win at home tonight. A goal in the 17th minute from Chris Tate, with the United defence, and Andy Woodman in particular, static, was followed ten minutes into the second half by an Andy Harris header as the Oxford rearguard did its characteristic backing off act.

Ian Atkins made one change from Saturday's starting line-up, bringing in Roy Hunter for Scott McNiven at right wing back. Unfortunately Hunter had a mare and was unable to put a foot right all evening. Four minutes after Orient's second goal United made a double substitution, with Lee Steele and ROS Chris Hackett replacing Andy Scott and James Hunt. Ten minutes later Jefferson Louis came on for Steve Basham, but all to no avail.

Referee Steve Tomlin, who also reffed United's recent win at Kidderminster, booked Andy Crosby after an altercation with Lee Thorpe. The attendance was 5,013. A match report is here.

Despite United's defeat the club remains in sixth place as almost all the other scores went Oxford's way. Leaders Hartlepool fell to a shock 3-0 defeat at Lincoln, which leaves the Imps one place below United on goals scored. Rushden consolidated their second place with a 2-1 win over third placed Bournemouth. Bury in fourth lost 1-0 at home to second bottom Bristol Rovers, for whom Robert Quinn scored, whilst fifth placed Scunthorpe didn't have a game. Kidderminster moved up to eighth with a 1-0 win over Southend whilst Wrexham lost a chance to move up the table by losing 1-0 at bottom club Exeter.

Macclesfield dropped to second bottom after losing 1-0 at home to United's next opponents, Hull City. Swansea are now fourth from bottom following their 0-0 draw with Boston and York City went down 1-0 at Darlington. The only other Division Three game saw Cambridge and Rochdale share four goals.

Mark Stein struck twice in Dagenham's 3-2 win over Stevenage, for whom Jamie Cook came on as a 77th minute substitute. Dean Windass scored Sheffield United's opener in their 4-1 win at Grimsby.