Cook halts slide

United beat third placed Bury 1-0 thanks to an 81st minute Jamie Cook strike, although the U's are still bottom on goal difference, swindon's game with Cambridge being postponed because they thought they might lose. Richard Knight was fit again to resume goalkeeping duties and in front of him the U's reverted to 4-4-2, Derek Lilley coming in for Dean Whitehead as the only other change to Wednesday's starting line-up. Cook had come on as a replacement for Manny Omoyinmi and in the last minute Peter Fear replaced Joey Beauchamp, who had earlier seen a penalty saved by Paddy Kenny. The attendance was a disappointing 3,676, the lowest league crowd at the Manor for many years, not helped by a combination of the fuel shortage and United's poor form of late. United had Paul Tait and Neil McGowan booked. A match report is here.

With swindon's game off United's closest rivals (in league position terms), Bristol City and Oldham, drew 0-0 at Boundary Park, whilst Luton were hammered 4-0 at Swansea, for whom Nick Cusack scored the third.
Guy Butters scored Gillingham's equaliser in their 2-1 win over Huddersfield. Mark MacGregor was on target again, scoring both Nuneaton's goals in their 2-1 win over Leigh RMI.