Oxford United fought out a dreary goalless draw at Grays Athletic this evening. [@news]2178[/@news][@opponent]Grays Athletic[/@opponent]This was a dispiriting performance from United, who failed to make many chances while shutting out the home side. United played the better passing football, but with no cutting edge, despite Grays looking shaky at the back (apart from John Ashton, who was solid). The chances that Oxford did create were squandered, with three or four clear headers going over, although Eddie Hutchinson was unlucky to hit the bar with one header.

Oxford's defence was solid, with Barry Quinn outstanding and Arthur Gnohere again justifying his selection. Billy Turley was called on to make an excellent save right at the death, but was otherwise rarely troubled. While it is disappointing not to pick up the three points against a lower-half opponent, the draw was worthy and takes United into Saturday's game against Aldershot looking strong, and with the strength in depth in the squad Jim Smith has scope to change things without weakening the side.

Smith made two changes to the side that won at Altrincham on Saturday. Turley returned between the sticks, with Chris Tardif back on the bench. In midfield Carl Pettefer started, in place of Rob Duffy as United reverted to the more familiar 3-5-2 formation. United made a double substitution after the hour, with Marvin Robinson replacing Paul Shaw, and Michael Standing coming on for Phil Trainer. Rob Duffy later came on for Yemi Odubade, who failed to make his mark on the game.

Tonight's referee was D Coote, who seemed to lose his grip a bit as the game went on, getting fussier and calling more rather dubious decisions. He showed yellow cards to Trainer and Mickey Corcoran, with Corkers lucky not to receive more. The attendance was 1,201, swelled by three or four hundred Oxford fans.

The draw leaves Oxford in sixth place, three points behind leaders Stevenage Borough, but having played a game more than all the teams around them. Tonight's other Conference game saw Halifax beat Woking 1-0 to lift themselves up to 11th place, one above Grays, while Woking are now 19th.