The result that everyone, including manager Jim Smith, deemed unacceptable came to pass at Droylsden yesterday evening.[@news]2196[/@news][@opponent]droyslden[/@opponent] The part-timers, who had yet to win a Conference game, and who had lost their last 11 games on the bounce, overwhelmed a disjointed and predictable Oxford United side to win 3-1, and deservedly so. The home side took the lead after just quarter of an hour, when player of the match Jody Banim turned Matt Day inside out and crossed for the unmarked Steve Daly to head home, unmarked, from about three yards. The Bloods could have increased their lead a couple of times in the first half, but for good saves by Billy Turley from Chris Denham and Banim. United's only real attempt on goal came from a long-range Barry Quinn shot that was deflected over.

Oxford started the second half in a much more positive mood, roared on by the vociferous away support, but still struggled to make chances and didn't force Paul Phillips into action. Quarter of an hour in the second half it was game over, as Denham was taken out by Alex Jeannin on the edge of the penalty area, and Banim drove the ball down the middle to convert the penalty and double the home side's lead. With just under 20 minutes to go, Paul Shaw eventually forced Phillips into a routine save. With five minutes remaining, United's nightmare evening was complete, when Jamie McGuire chased a long ball that Chris Willmott was unable to intercept, and he rolled the ball under the advancing Turley to make the score 3-0. Two minutes from time Yemi Odubade salvaged something (let's not call it pride) from the evening following some good work by Shaw, whose cross was stepped over by Gary Twigg leaving Yemi to score from eight yards.

Despite Droylsden's status, position, and record, Jim Smith started with a defensive line-up, utilising a completely new back line. Matt Day played at right back, in place of the injured Eddie Anaclet, while Luke Foster made his first start of the season in place of Mickey Corcoran, dropped to the bench following his shocker against York City. Chris Willmott made his first start of the season in the centre of the back three, with Barry Quinn pushed into central midfield, and Arthur Gnohere completed the back three, with Jeannin in his usual position on the left. Eddie Hutchinson and Phil Trainer played alongside Quinn, with Yemi and Shaw up front. At half-time Smith changed things around, moving to 4-3-3 by removing Day and Gnohere, and bringing on Carl Pettefer and Twigg. It had the effect of sparking United into life briefly, but it all went horribly wrong again after Droylsden scored their second, and this time Smith had no way of turning it around.

Yesterday's referee was C Sarginson, who was of the standard we've come to expect at this level, but who could not be blamed in any way for United's defeat. In a niggly game, he booked four Oxford players: Day, Jeannin, Trainer, and Willmott. All of them correct decisions. The attendance of 1,074, boosted by around 350 or so Oxford fans, was easily Droylsden's best of the season, and the first time they passed the 1,000 mark.

The defeat drops United down to an abysmal 12th place, their equal lowest since relegation from the League. The win lifts Droylsden from the foot of the table. Leaders Torquay United, who visit Oxford on Thursday for another live TV game, surprisingly lost 2-1 at Ebbsfleet United, who climbed to ninth. Stevenage Borough went second after an eventful 3-1 win over Aldershot, who dropped to third. Burton Albion climbed to fourth after three late goals saw them beat Salisbury City 4-3, dropping Sarum down to 11th. Cambridge United occupy the final play-off spot after they drew 2-2 with Halifax. Cambridge's first goal was scored by Marvin Robinson, his first for his new club, and their second came from Rob Wolleaston.

Northwich Victoria drop to the bottom of the Conference following their 2-0 loss at Weymouth, for whom Jefferson Louis scored the second goal. Stafford Rangers went down 3-1 at home to Forest Green Rovers, who climbed to sixth, while Altrincham's 2-1 home defeat by Rushden & Diamonds leaves them in the final relegation place. York City's problems continued with a 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Histon, leaving York in 19th place, and Histon up in seventh. Exeter City climbed above Oxford with a 1-0 win over Grays Athletic, while Kidderminster Harriers also move above the Us after they drew 1-1 at home to Crawley Town, who will also be above Oxford if their six-point deduction is overturned at the forthcoming appeal.