Torquay United 1 Oxford United 1

After a poor first half, that saw Oxford concede a 20th-minute goal by Chris Robertson from a corner, United turned it around. They equalised with two minutes to go with a Phil 'the Power' Trainer tap-in, and in injury time the Us were denied a clear penalty after Yemi Odubade was caught late in the area.

Oxford started the game on the back foot, with Torquay looking to continue their current good run that had seen them take 16 points from their previous six games. Oxford found themselves conceding space and possession far too easily, and it came as no surprise when sloppy defending allowed Robertson to knock the ball between Billy Turley's legs to open the scoring in the 20th minute. However, for all their possession, the home side failed to force Turley into much more serious action, and United actually came close to equalising on a couple of occasions, through Lewis Haldane and Jamie Guy. Scott Bevan produced a flying save to deny Trainer, but nevertheless it was the home side that deserved their lead at the interval.

United came out after the break looking to impose themselves on the game, and most of the action took place in the Torquay half. James Constable had a shot on the turn blocked, and Haldane forced another excellent save from Bevan, who tipped his shot onto the post. The pressure mounted on the home goal, and it eventually told two minutes from time when Trainer was left unmarked at a Deering corner for a simple goal. Oxford continued to attack, and should have been rewarded with a penalty when Yemi was caught, but the referee failed to award it and Sam Deering's follow-up shot was blocked.

This was a well-earned point against the Conference's form team, and at the end United will have been disappointed not to have taken all three points. However, it continues the good work achieved in the win over Rushden & Diamonds, and gives the Yellows cause for confidence for their next game at Altrincham on Sunday. Although we all know where optimism gets you when you follow United. Oxford have still yet to win an away game on Setanta.[@news]2383[/@news][@opponent]torquay united[/@opponent]

Darren Patterson made just one change to the side that beat Rushden on Saturday. Constable was pronounced fit before the game, and he resumed his place in attack, alongside Guy, with Yemi making way. With just over an hour gone, Yemi came on for Constable, and with 11 minutes to go, the ROS Deering came on for Guy, with Haldane moving up front alongside Yemi.

Tonight's referee was AD Sainsbury, taking charge of an Oxford game for the first time. He didn't have a bad game at all, the last-minute penalty denial notwithstanding, although he did book Yemi for over-zealously celebrating United's equaliser. Tonight's attendance was 1,955.

The point leaves United in 18th place, one point below York City. Torquay climbed above their next opponents, Rushden, into seventh place.