Salisbury City 1 Oxford United 1

United threw away two vital points this afternoon when they conceded a last minute equaliser to a desperately poor Salisbury side, having taken the lead just nine minutes earlier. The home side were awarded a throw in, despite the ball clearly having gone out of play off a Salisbury player, and the United defence switched off, allowing Sean Clohessy far too much time to measure his cross, headed home by an unmarked Chris Todd. EDIT: Apparently it was Bradley Gray who scored Salisbury's goal, thus making a nonsense of our headline (even more of a nonsense than usual).

A draw was probably as much as Oxford deserved from the game, despite starting strongly and dominating the first half. However, for all their possession and decent approach play the Oxford front line had precious few scoring attempts, with Alfie Potter firing over and James Constable and Jack Midson both shooting narrowly wide. Potter did get the ball in the net, but the offside flag had gone up against Constable and the effort was ruled out. The closest United came to scoring was when Constable broke through and clipped the ball over James Bittner, but the goalie got his hand to the ball and deflected it to safety.

Oxford were a lot more hesitant in the second half, as the ball spent more time in the air than it should for a decent game, and as the 50-50 challenges started to go Salisbury's way. Chances were few and far between, so when Adam Chapman's inviting free-kick was headed home by Onome Sodje for his first goal for United, in what was probably his last game for the club, it looked like United were heading for a barely deserved win. Then came the intervention of the linesman and the non-intervention of the Oxford defence, and the scores were level. This was the first time that Oxford have gained anything from their visits to Salisbury, but at the final whistle the mood was more one of defeat than celebrating a point gained.

Chris Wilder made four changes to the side that beat Hayes & Yeading in the FA Trophy last time they played. As expected, Ryan Clarke took over in goal from Billy Turley, and Mark Creighton took over from Rhys Day in the centre of defence. Dannie Bulman returned to midfield in place of the suspended Adam Murray. Constable started up front alongside Midson, with Sodje dropping to the bench. Twenty minutes into the second half United made a double substitution, with Sodje and Matt Green replacing Midson and Potter. Seconds before United scored Franny Green went off to be replaced by Jamie Cook. Ross Perry was on the bench, probably for the last time before returning to Rangers after his loan spell finishes.

Today's match official was Rob Whitton, who took charge of United's opening day victory over York City back in August. He showed a yellow card to Potter, but overall he had a decent game, which is more than can be said for his assistant at the end Oxford were attacking in the first half. The attendance of 2,677 included 1,546 in the away terraces, which equates to 57.8 per cent of the crowd and is the fourth time this season that United supporters have comprised more than half the gate.

Luckily, the last-minute equaliser didn't have a deleterious effect on United's position at the top of the Conference, as Stevenage Borough were held to a goalless draw by fifth-placed AFC Wimbledon, leaving Oxford still two points clear with two games in hand. Salisbury remain 18th. York stay third despite their game at Altrincham being postponed, while Mansfield Town remain a further five points behind in fourth place despite beating Cambridge United 2-1. Kettering Town are sixth after losing 1-0 at Histon, while Luton Town's 4-1 win over fifth-bottom Eastbourne Borough takes them up to seventh.

Bottom team Chester City's game against Barrow was postponed, but second-bottom Grays Athletic were unable to take advantage, losing 3-2 to Crawley Town, for whom Charles Ademeno scored a hat-trick in the first six minutes of the game. Third-bottom Ebbsfleet United were beaten 4-2 at Hayes & Yeading, for whom Steve Basham scored twice, and fourth-bottom Forest Green Rovers drew 0-0 at Tamworth.

Assuming the weather permits, United's next game is on Friday at Rushden & Diamonds. They lie in eighth place after a 2-1 home win over Kidderminster Harriers, with highly rated Lee Tomlin scoring both Rushden's goals. [@news]2621[/@news][@opponent]salisbury city[/@opponent]