With no game for Oxford United today as a result of the Conference's ineptitude at fixture planning, Us fans can relax in the knowledge that, whatever happens elsewhere, they will still be top of the Conference at the end of the day (working on the assumption that Chester's results will, eventually, be expunged). Second-placed Stevenage Borough play at home to Crawley Town, knowing that a win will take them to within a point of Oxford, but with United having played a game less. York City, in third place, travel to Forest Green Rovers while Rushden & Diamonds, fourth after Wednesday's 1-0 win over Histon, visit Tamworth. Fifth-placed Kettering Town face bottom of the table Grays Athletic and Luton Town, now out of the play-off zone, travel to Hayes & Yeading United, who visit Oxford on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, United have boosted their squad yet further with the signing of Lewis Chalmers. The 24-year old central midfielder has joined on loan from Aldershot for the remainder of the season, following in the footsteps of recent signing striker John Grant. Chalmers was in the same squad that won the Conference in 2008, and was on the scoresheet when the Shots won 3-2 at the Kassam on 15 September 2007; Grant scored the other two Aldershot goals.

Making way for Chalmers is Lee Fowler. The midfielder joined from Kettering at the end of December after being released by the Poppies, but he has only made one first team appearance, in the FA Trophy against Woking. He also featured in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup quarter-final at Kidlington, but missed last Wednesday's semi-final as he had to attend a funeral. He has been released at his own request because of the lack of first team opportunities.