United might be out of the race for automatic promotion, but that doesn't mean the season is over. With a place in the play-offs beckoning there is still plenty to play for, and Oxford will want to use the next seven games to hit the play-offs at full tilt. Tomorrow they will want to make it a good Friday and get revenge for Hayes & Yeading United's Steve Basham-inspired 2-1 win over the Us at the Kas three weeks ago.

Giant defender Mark Creighton was back to his best in Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at Stevenage Borough until he hobbled off with 20 minutes to go. It is to be hoped that he will be fit tomorrow, as his performance was altogether more convincing than those recent ones of Rhys Day. United's biggest problem remains the lack of creativity coming through the midfield, especially since the absence of Adam Murray. Therefore, with Damian Batt's suspension now served, there is an opportunity to play Adam Chapman in the centre alongside one of the more defensive players such as Dannie Bulman or Lewis Chalmers, thereby providing a possible outlet for Sam Deering or Alfie Potter, who can then supply the forwards. Of course, Chris Wilder may have other ideas, but now he has the opportunity to try and retrieve the more adventurous spirit that got United to the top of the league before Christmas.

Hayes have their own reasons for wanting to do well tomorrow, and not just because they have an opportunity to complete the double over United. Although 15th in the table, they are only six points clear of the relegation zone, and in their last game they lost 8-0 at Luton Town, finding themselves 7-0 down after just 35 minutes. While they don't have to worry about Oxford filling their boots like that, they will want to drive that result out of their minds with a decent showing against the Yellows. Basham didn't feature in that hammering by his parent club, but ex-Us loan striker Scott Fitzgerald made his first appearance after a lengthy lay-off. [@opponent]hayes & yeading united[/@opponent][@connection]hayes & yeading united[/@connection]

The other Conference game taking place tomorrow that affects United sees Rushden & Diamonds take on Crawley Town. Rushden could go above Oxford if they win and the Us lose. In the only other Bank Holiday game, Salisbury City, who are three points above the drop-zone, welcome Ebbsfleet United, three points from safety. Last night Forest Green Rovers beat Barrow 1-0 to climb out of the relegation zone, two points clear of third-bottom Eastbourne Borough, and two points behind Barrow.