Ford Goalaxy

United made hard work of taking all three points from a committed, but not very good, Boston side that had won its previous three games without conceding a goal. It took Oxford only sixteen minutes to end that record when skipper Andy Crosby dived to head home a Bobby Ford free kick. Ford himself doubled the Us' lead nine minutes after half-time with his first goal during his second spell for the club, again from a header after some good work from Dave Savage on the right wing. With United cruising towards a comfortable victory, and Boston providing little threat, it was fifteen minutes after Ford's goal when the Us almost threw it all away, allowing substitute Stuart Douglas to nip in after some hesitation by Crosby to continue the curse of the old boys. Fortunately Boston were unable to equalise, although another old boy, Simon Weatherstone, somehow missed when it was easier to score.

United started with the same line-up as began the game at Plainmoor last Saturday, Lee Steele remaining on the bench. With quarter of an hour remaining Steele did come on to replace Steve Basham, to general astonishment. As the game moved into injury time Ford went off to a standing ovation to be replaced by Roy Hunter.

The referee was A R Leake, who also officiated United's home game against Exeter. He didn't book any United players, but he incredibly failed to send off Boston goalkeeper Paul Bastock after he brought down Andy Scott, just outside the area, when the 'keeper was the last man between Scott and goal. The attendance of 7,157 included lots of high-pitched kiddies, and was the highest in the third division today. A match report can now be found here.

United rise one place to sixth following this victory, whilst Boston remain sixth from bottom. League leaders Hartlepool were held to a 2-2 draw at neighbours Darlington, but second placed Rushden put recent form behind them to record a 2-1 victory over York, who previously occupied fifth place. Bournemouth remain third despite losing 2-1 at Bury, who stay in fourth place, but both clubs are now just one point above United. After winning 3-1 at Kidderminster, Scunthorpe moved above United into fifth place by virtue of having scored seven more goals than Oxford. The final play-off place is now occupied by Torquay, who won 1-0 at Cambridge.

At the other end of the table the clash between the bottom two clubs, Exeter and Bristol Rovers, ended goalless, leaving them still occupying the same positions. Swansea dropped to third from bottom after holding Wrexham to a goalless draw at the Vetch, whilst Macclesfield climbed above them after beating Southend 2-1. Fifth bottom Carlisle lost 5-1 at home to Hull, whilst Shrewsbury beat Rochdale 3-1. United's opponents on Tuesday, Leyton Orient, drew 1-1 at Lincoln.