Darren Patterson had his first taste of defeat as a manager today, as Northwich Victoria scored with virtually their only chance in a bad-tempered, scrappy game, played in appalling conditions.[@news]2231[/@news][@opponent]Northwich Victoria[/@opponent] United were dealt a serious blow as early as the third minute, when on-loan striker Matt Green went off nursing a broken collarbone. United had a couple of half-chances before they fell behind seven minutes before half time. The ball fell to former U Lee Steele, with his back to goal. Steele turned smartly and once again scored against the Yellows. Within a minute of the second half starting Yemi Odubade forced Scott Tynan into a good save. There was a flashpoint on 69 minutes, which saw Oxford lose two players: Eddie Anaclet went off nursing a dislocated shoulder (which was later popped back in – ouch!), while Alex Jeannin was shown his second yellow card of the afternoon in the aftermath, sharing his walk to the dressing room with Richard Battersby, who was also shown a red for his part in the scrap. After that, United huffed and puffed, but were unable to blow down the Vics' house, despite it looking like it was made of straw.

With Phil Trainer suspended for picking up his fifth yellow card against Southend United last week, Patterson brought Matt Day, normally chosen for his defensive abilities, into the midfield. With Green going off so early, Yemi Odubade had the opportunity to play almost the full game. Ten minutes after the break, Ashley Barnes was replaced by Joel Ledgister, and when Anaclet went off, his place was taken by Mickey Corcoran. Youth teamer Aaron Posey was on the bench.

Today's referee was C Harwood, taking charge of the Us for the first time. In addition to Monsieur Jeannin's deux jaunes, Anaclet also had the yellow card waved in his face. The attendance was a laughable 911. This, according to our records, is the lowest crowd to watch United in a league match since March 1959. Don't forget to vote for your Man of the Match at the Rage Online Voting Booth.

Neither side moved in the Conference table as a result of this game; United remain 12th, while Northwich stay bottom, albeit now on goal difference. Aldershot stay top after beating third-bottom Stafford Rangers 4-3, after Scott McNiven had given Stafford an early lead. Second-placed Torquay United host fourth-bottom Altrincham tomorrow. Stevenage Borough are third after they beat Salisbury City 3-1, while Cambridge United are fourth after they were beaten 1-0 at tenth-placed Kidderminster Harriers last night. Fifth-placed Burton Albion were held to a 1-1 draw by Forest Green Rovers, one place below them. Histon stay seventh after losing 1-0 at home to Woking.

There were away wins for Exeter City, who beat Halifax 3-0, York City, who won 2-1 at Ebbsfleet United, and Rushden & Diamonds, whose 4-1 win at Droylsden was started by a Wayne Hatswell goal. The games between Crawley and Grays Athletic, and Weymouth and Farsley Celtic were both postponed because of the naff weather. United's next opponents, Southend United, beat Swindon Town 2-1. We're not sure if that's good or bad. Meanwhile, Oxford's opponents in next Saturday's FA Trophy, Tonbridge Angels, drew 2-2 at Chelmsford City, in a game where there were 94 more spectators than watched United this afternoon.