United's reserves went down 1-0 to Luton Town tonight, at a bitterly cold Loop Meadow, in Didcot. The scoreline was a bit harsh on the Yellows, who had the majority of the possession and made most of the chances, but they just couldn't score. Luton played some neat passing football, often cutting United's midfield to ribbons, but they generally failed to find the final ball, and when they did their attacks ended with either a good defensive challenge, or a weak, inaccurate, long-range shot.

United's side was a curious mixture of experienced first-teamers, youth players, and unknown triallists. Gareth Tucker played in goal, with Andy Gunn having an assured game in an unfamiliar right-back position. The remainder of the back four was comprised of triallists, with Jesper Fugesang, Anthony Catalone, and Luke Foster, recently released by Lincoln City, all trying to show what they could do, and all playing well until their lack of match fitness started to tell. Gregg Coombes played wide right, with Gavin Johnson on the opposite flank (although they did swap over at one stage), and Josh Kennett and Andy Burgess in the centre of the park. The non-stop Kris Grebis and Marvin Robinson played up front together.

It was Grebis who had the first decent chance for United, being set free by Coombes to face Zac Barrett one on one, but it was the Hatters' goalkeeper who prevailed, saving with his legs. Johnson had the next opportunity, but his powerful header was straight at Barrett. Luton then went ahead from a hopeful cross that evaded Foster, and Shaun Ross headed home. Oxford continued to press, with Grebis unable to convert two or three opportunities, while Robinson went close, and a Coombes shot just cleared the bar.

It was a similar story in the second half, with all the chances falling for United. Robinson had a long-range shot, straight at Barrett, and Billy Beechers, on for Kennett, saw his close shot well saved after he was set up by a Grebis header. It was Grebis again who had the best chance of the half, following some neat interplay between Burgess and Robinson, who set the Latvian free, but again Barrett managed to deflect the shot wide. Apart from the defeat, the worrying moment for Oxford came when Coombes limped from te field, replaced by Daniel Meade.