Darren Patterson's first managerial experience of a Conference fixture ultimately ended in disappointment, as United were unable to break down Ebbsfleet United.[@news]2219[/@news][@opponent]ebbsfleet united[/@opponent] The good news is that Ebbsfleet were equally unable to get past the Oxford defence, while both goalkeepers did their bit when they had to. The first half was a boring non-event, as United resorted to long balls to the diminutive Yemi Odubade and loanee Kieran St Aimee. There were chances, with Yemi having a couple of shots straight at Lance Cronin, while Billy Turley comfortably saved a Chukki Eribenne header, but neither side really looked like scoring.

United emerged for the second half with a changed system, as Patto switched to 4-4-2. Eddie Anaclet became a right winger, with Paddy Collins switching to right back, while on the left, Alex Jeannin dropped into defence and Phil Trainer became a winger. The team took a little while to adjust, and while they were still finding their feet they were fortunate when Barry Quinn escaped a red card. Quinn conceded possession to Eribenne by trying to play the ball out of defence instead of resorting to one of his characteristic hoofs. Eribenne beat Quinn for pace and the Irishman brought the visiting forward down on the edge of the penalty area. It is possible that, because the referee played advantage as an Ebbsfleet forward missed an opportunity to score, he chose to book Quinn instead of show the red card. Ebbsfleet wasted the free kick, and four minutes later they should have been punished when Yemi headed over from six yards after good work by Trainer. United almost took the lead with quarter of an hour remaining, when a Trainer header from an Anaclet cross was well saved by Cronin, and then a minute later Anaclet burst into the area but his the post from a narrow angle, and Yemi put the rebound wide. Turley was then forced to match Cronin's save with an equally excellent one from Eribenne. After Rob Duffy's dismissal, following one of the briefest ever substitute appearances, possibly for kicking out, or for an elbow, or just to make up for Quinn's staying on the pitch, United started to come more into the game, and in the final period looked the likeliest side to win. Carl Pettefer created an excellent opportunity to score, but unfortunately Cronin pulled off yet another wonderful save, and then Turley again matched Cronin with a superb diving save from Chris McPhee. Eventually the game petered out, with Ebbsfleet never looking like capitalising on their superior numbers.

Patto was forced into two changes to the team that beat Northwich Victoria in the FA Cup last weekend. Matt Day was suspended for his fifth caution of the season, with Anaclet coming into the side as a direct replacement, while the other Eddie, Hutchinson, came in for Stefan Bailey, who has returned to QPR following his loan spell. Patto made his first change at half time, to coincide with the change in formation, as Alex Fisher came on for St Aimee. Fisher is getting progressively longer time on the field with each appearance, and it can't be long before he is handed his first start, especially given Duffy's red card and three-match ban. Duffy was the second sub, coming on for Anaclet, as Yemi moved over to the wing. The switch didn't last long as, after Duffy's dismissal, 30 seconds after coming on, Yemi moved back up front alongside Fisher. With four minutes left Yemi himself made way, as 16-year-old Declan Benjamin came on for his first United appearance.

Today's referee was Steve Creighton, who was last seen here at our 2-1 win over Stafford Rangers in August. He certainly didn't endear himself to the crowd, with some mystifying decisions. In addition to Duffy's sending off and Quinn's booking, he also showed a yellow to Luke Foster. The attendance today was 4,655, of whom 196 were in the away end. So much for 20,000 new owners swelling the attendance.

The draw drops Oxford down to 13th, while Ebbsfleet also drop one place, down to 10th. Leaders Aldershot remained in front, beating Rushden & Diamonds 2-1, while second-placed Torquay United remain hot on their heels as they won 3-2 at Crawley. Torquay's first goal was somehow scored by Lee Mansell, while Tim Sills scored to put them 3-0 up at half time. Cambridge United went third after beating bottom side Northwich Victoria 2-1, with Lee Steele on target for the Vics. Burton Albion moved up to fourth after they overturned a deficit to beat Exeter City 4-1 at St James Park. Exeter remain eighth. Forest Green Rovers moved to fifth following their 3-1 win over seventh-placed Histon. Stevenage Borough dropped to sixth after they lost 3-2 at home to Halifax.

At the foot of the table, second-bottom Droylsden drew 1-1 with third-bottom Stafford. Fourth-bottom Altrincham moved to just two points below Farsley Celtic after beating Weymouth 3-2. Farsley themselves lost 1-0 at Grays Athletic, while York City surprisingly lost 3-1 at home to Salisbury City, who went above Oxford. In the Conference's other game, United's next opponents, Kidderminster Harriers, were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Woking.