Following tonight's results in the Conference, United's very faint chances of reaching the play-offs became that much fainter as, predictably, all the teams around Oxford picked up maximum points. Kettering Town, whom United visit on Thursday, achieved a narrow 1-0 win over bottom side Lewes. This leaves the Poppies level on points with the Us, but with four games in hand (all at home). Wrexham went above Oxford and Crawley, dropping United into ninth place, courtesy of a 2-1 win at second-bottom Northwich Victoria who, along with Lewes, are destined for relegation.

The top three teams in the Conference were all in action, and all won. Top team Burton Albion were the latest recipients of Weymouth's poor fortunes, winning 5-0 at the Wessex Stadium. The good news for the Terras is that a rescue package appears to have been agreed for the club, with former owner John Calder finally buggering off. The new owners are confident that they can keep the club out of administration, and therefore prevent relegation, and are trying to strengthen the squad so that the side's recent run of heavy defeats can be halted. Second-placed Cambridge United won 2-0 at fourth-bottom Barrow, while third bottom Grays Athletic went down to their second-successive 4-1 defeat, as third-placed Histon emulated Oxford's result from last Saturday.

The division's two inconsequential games, at least as far as Oxford are concerned, both ended drawn. Forest Green Rovers climbed one place to 19th after being held at home 1-1 by York City, who also moved up one place, to 17th, but who are only two points above the drop zone. In the boring mid-table game Eastbourne Borough and Salisbury City drew 0-0. Yawn.