AFC Wimbledon 0 Oxford United 1

Oxford maintained their unbeaten record and stayed top of the Conference thanks to a hard-fought victory over AFC Wimbledon in the clubs' first meeting. Oxford knocked the ball around nicely during the first half without creating any clear openings, while restricting the home side to wayward long-range efforts.

In the second period Oxford continued to have the better possession and look the likelier side to make the breakthrough. The deciding goal arrived five minutes into the second half and came from one of the better moves of the game. Dannie Bulman fed Adam Chapman, who laid a perfectly weighted ball into the path of the overlapping Damien Batt. His powerful cross almost reached Adam Murray, but was diverted into his own net by Jay Conroy. Murray celebrated as though it was his goal, but the massed Oxford fans didn't really care who had the final touch.

With 18 minutes remaining Wimbledon were handed an ideal opportunity to equalise when Batt tangled with Paul Lorraine and the Dons striker fell in the area. A penalty was awarded but Ryan Clarke made the save from Danny Kedwell's spot kick look easy as he palmed it away. The Us had already spurned one good chance to extend their lead when Matt Green wriggled along the bye-line before James Pullen got down well to save his shot. They then had two further great chances with breakaways as Wimbledon mounted heavy pressure in the closing moments. First, Bulman sped away from the chasing defenders, drew Pullen out of his goal and squared the ball perfectly for James Constable. Unfortunately, United's leading scorer uncharacteristically shot wide with an open goal gaping. A few minutes later Green charged clear down the left, but as he turned to get the ball onto his right foot he took a moment too long and allowed a covering defender to block his shot.

Before this match many Oxford supporters would have been content with a point, so three points was obviously more than welcome. It was a hard-fought, and at times scrappy, game with two decent sides slugging it out. A neutral at the game commented that Wimbledon looked a good side, but Oxford were half as good again, and his verdict was that United would not only go up, but would probably be too strong for most clubs in League Two next season. Too many variables between now and then, but as long as Oxford get the first part of the job completed that's all that matters for now.

Chris Wilder made three changes to the side that beat Stevenage Borough last Saturday, with Green and Alfie Potter dropped to the bench and Luke Foster coming in for the injured Rhys Day. They were replaced by Marcus Kelly and Chapman as the Us played with just Constable up front and Murray playing between him and the midfield. In the 67th minute Kelly was replaced by Green as United looked to shore up the left side. With four minutes of normal time remaining Chapman made way for new loan signing Ross Perry, who took up a position just in front of the back four. Murray was replaced by Potter as stoppage time moved inexorably into its closing stages.

Today's referee was Steve Creighton, who generally had a decent game, getting the big decisions right. His last time in charge of an Oxford game was for the 2-0 defeat at Crawley in January 2008. He showed yellow cards to four Oxford players: Batt for his part in the penalty; plus Kevin Sandwith, Murray, and Green. The attendance was 4,303 with the official figure for away fans 826.

The win keeps Oxford one point clear at the top of the Conference, with Wimbledon dropping to seventh. Mansfield Town remain second thanks to a second-minute Rob Duffy goal earning them a 1-0 win at bottom side Chester City. Luton Town are still third, but are now four points behind Oxford after they were held to a scoreless draw at fifth-placed Kettering Town. York City have climbed to fourth after beating Histon 3-1.

Oxford's opponents on Monday are Forest Green Rovers, who remain second from bottom without a point after their 2-0 home defeat by Wrexham. United's next game is at Ebbsfleet United, who are third from bottom with two points after their 2-1 home defeat by Hayes & Yeading. Gateshead are fourth from bottom after they lost 3-0 at Cambridge United, who have climbed to sixth.

In today's other Conference games, Barrow beat Tamworth 1-0, while Jefferson Louis scored his first goal for Crawley as they drew 1-1 with Grays Athletic with Chris Carruthers coming off the bench in the 21st minute. Kidderminster Harriers are now eighth after beating ninth-placed Altrincham 3-0, while a Simon Weatherstone goal earned Eastbourne Borough a 1-1 draw at Salisbury City. Stevenage Borough beat Rushden & Diamonds 2-1. [@news]2548[/@news] [@opponent]afc wimbledon[/@opponent]