Oxford United's disappointing run continued into the new year, as two goals from ex-U Jamie Cook condemned them to a 2-0 defeat at Crawley Town this afternoon.[@news]2247[/@news][@opponent]Crawley Town[/@opponent] The home side were fastest out of the blocks at the Broadhall Stadium, with Billy Turley denying Pierre-Joseph Dubois and Cook before Yemi Odubade had United's first attempt on 20 minutes. However, Yemi's shot went well wide, although Alex Jeannin went much closer three minutes later, but his shot went just over. Meanwhile, good blocks from Luke Foster and Jeannin were needed to keep out Cook, who was having a storming game. The sides went in goalless at half time, but United were probably the happier with that state of affairs.

United started the second half strongly, with Rob Duffy forcing Ashley Bayes into his first save of the game just two minutes after the interval. Duffy set up Matt Day seven minutes later, but his volley went well over. Despite this promising start, it took just two minutes for the game, and probably United's season, to be effectively over. On 67 minutes Cook, from some distance, looked up and saw Turley off his line, and superbly lifted the ball over the stranded keeper to give Crawley the lead. Two minutes later Jon-Paul Pittman found himself goalside of Barry Quinn, who caught the Crawley player from behind. Off went Quinn, and up stepped Cook to beat Turley from the penalty spot. Down to ten men, United rallied but, with the game now beyond them, left themselves open to the counter attack, and Foster was called on again to deny Cook his hat trick. By now, the home side was showboating, and United's outnumbered and demoralised team was playing catch-up. They didn't catch up, though, and started the new year pointless, much like the whole season so far.

Darren Patterson made two changes to the side that drew with Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday. In defence Foster returned from suspension in place of Michael Corcoran. Day came into midfield, with Joel Ledgister playing up front alongside Yemi, and Duffy dropping to the bench. At half time Duffy came on for Ledgister, who had failed to threaten, and United immediately looked better up front as Duffy held up the ball and won a number of significant headers. In the 63rd minute Matt Taylor replaced James Clarke, with Day dropping back into defence, and with just a couple of minutes remaining Carl Pettefer was taken off, with Corcoran replacing him.

Today's referee was Steve Creighton, who was also in charge of United's recent 0-0 draw with Ebbsfleet, and also United's 2-1 win over Stafford Rangers at the start of the season. As well as dismissing Quinn, he also booked Clarke for an early foul on Cook, while Jeannin and Ledgister both saw yellow too. That was Jeannin's fifth yellow card of the season, apparently. The attendance was just 1,630, of whom 477 were in the away end.

This defeat sent United into 14th position, their lowest for around 50 years. Crawley climbed to 15th, just one point below United, but whereas Oxford's goal difference is -3, theirs is +11. Leaders Aldershot won again, beating Woking 2-1, but Torquay United remain hot on their heels after a Tim Sills goal gave them a 1-0 win over Devon rivals Exeter City. Stevenage Borough remain third after they beat Rushden & Diamonds 2-1, but Burton Albion went up to fourth after beating second-bottom Stafford Rangers 2-1, with Scott McNiven scoring for Stafford. Burton went above Cambridge United on goal difference after Cambridge lost their local derby 1-0 at Histon, leaving Oxford now 12 points adrift of the play offs.

Bottom side Droylsden lost 4-3 to York City, who were 3-2 down as the game moved into injury time. Third-bottom Northwich Victoria lost 2-1 at home to fourth-bottom Altrincham, who visit Minchery Farm on Saturday. Farsley Celtic remain fifth from bottom after they lost 2-0 at Halifax. Salisbury City won 3-0 at Weymouth to move above Oxford, Kidderminster Harriers beat Forest Green Rovers 1-0, and Ebbsfleet United beat Grays Athletic 4-1.