Ross makes us cross

United went down somewhat unluckily to a poor Scunthorpe side thanks to a Steve Torpey goal eighteen minutes from time. It was an unlikely result after United had dominated most of the play and had created many more chances than the Lincolnshire side. It was also the second league game in succession that United have had two players sent off against a side from Lincs although, whereas against Lincoln it was possible to ascertain the referee's motives, however mistaken, for dismissing Wayne Hatswell and Martin Thomas, the same could not be said for Joe Ross's reasons for sending off first Paul Moody and then captain Phil Bolland. Ross also dismissed Mark Wright and, for good measure, handed out a fifth booking of the season to Scott Guyett. The upshot of this is that, should Hatswell fail in his appeal against his red card last week, when United face York on November 3rd they will be without all three first choice central defenders.

Wright made some adventurous changes to the Northampton line-up. Paul Powell replaced Sam Ricketts and, with Moody coming back to replace Rob Folland, Jamie Brooks joined Moods and Manny Omoyinmi up front in a 4-3-3 formation, with Sam Stockley playing much more as an orthodox right back. When Stockley went off injured he was replaced by Ricketts, more comfortable on the right, and as United chased the game Chris Hackett came on for Omoyinmi and Rob Folland took Brooks' place up front.

The attendance of 5,006 was the second lowest of the season at the Kassam Stadium, due to low away support and United's current run and league position. At least against Carlisle on Tuesday the Kids for a Quid scheme should ensure a semi-reasonable turn out. A match report appears here.

United have slipped one place to 18th as a result of this defeat. Rochdale usurped Luton at the top of the table, thanks to a 1-0 victory at Kenilworth Road. Hartlepool have dropped to the bottom of the table after going down 1-0 at Torquay and thanks to our next opponents, Carlisle United, winning 1-0 at home to Kidderminster.

Lee Nogan scored York City's first in their 2-1 win over Southend United. Former United loanee Guy Butters scored Gillingham's late consolation in their 3-1 defeat at Wimbledon and former Osler Roader Jermaine McSporran scored the only goal of the game for Wycombe at Bristol City.