Rushden & Diamonds 1 Oxford United 1

Oxford came back from a goal down to earn a point at Rushden that may yet prove critical in the final reckoning. The Diamonds took the lead when a Craig Farrell free-kick was headed into his own net by Rhys Day, but less than ten minutes later substitute Sam Deering was on hand to chip the ball into an empty net to rescue a deserved point for the Us.

Chris Wilder made two changes to the starting line-up from the side that drew 0-0 at Tamworth on Sunday. Chris Hargreaves returned to the centre of midfield in place of Lewis Chalmers, while Deering was on the bench with his place taken by John Grant. Wilder made just one substitution, and it proved a crucial one, with Deering coming on for Franny Green just five minutes before the equaliser.

The first half hour of the game was steady rather than frenetic, with neither side looking like breaking the deadlock. The closest that United came was when Franny Green shot straight at 'keeper Dale Roberts, while a minute later Rushden's only dangerous effort saw a shot from Mickey Corcoran go close. United did get the ball in the net from one flowing move, but Grant was flagged offside as he rounded Roberts.

Oxford looked slightly better at the start of the second half, but were still unable to carve open any clear openings. Rushden scored just before the hour after Damian Batt slipped to allow Lee Tomlin to burst clear and then brought him down to concede a free-kick. Farrell whipped the ball into the goalmouth where it clipped Day's bonce on its way into the net. Farrell claimed the goal, but official sources reported it as a Day oggy. This heralded United's best period of the game as they went for an equaliser. They were denied a fairly blatant penalty shout after James Constable was shoved over, but shortly afterwards it didn't matter as Oxford scored from open play. Simon Clist chased down a couple of Rushden defenders, causing them to panic and Kurt Robinson sliced his attempted clearance to Deering. His chip was palmed into the net by Roberts, who should perhaps have done better. The closing period saw United go back into their shell a bit, although Deering again went close with a cross shot. At the other end Ryan Clarke looked on serenely.

In isolation, a point at an in-form Rushden side, that had put eight past Gateshead in their last home game, is a decent return. In the context of the season it was disappointing, as United's winless streak reaches five games. Nevertheless, the attitude of the players and the superb backing of the fans give reason to believe that United are not yet out of the title race.

Last night's referee was Michael Naylor, who was in charge at Oxford's 4-3 win at Histon in the third game of the season. He booked Batt for the foul which led to the goal, and he was a direct contrast to Mark Brown, the official at Tamworth. Brown was too whistle-happy, whereas Naylor often seemed to forget that he had a whistle, allowing both sides to get away with challenges that others would deem fouls. The attendance was 2,970 with 1,353 in the away end.

The point takes United back into second place, above Luton Town on goal difference but with a game in hand on the Hatters, and five points adrift of leaders Stevenage Borough. Rushden went back to fourth in the table, going above York City on goal difference. Last night's other result saw Cambridge United beat Tamworth 2-0. [@news]2685[/@news] [@opponent]rushden & diamonds[/@opponent]