Mark Gelder
Good Friday was a bad day for Oxford United, losing 2-1 away at Northampton Town. Again United conceded an early goal, levelled the match, before being beaten in the second half. However this game was world's apart from the previous home defeat to Morecambe. Michael Duberry returned fit, and Andy Whing was dropped to the subs bench in an attempt to save him from his tenth caution before the 8 April bookings deadline which would have seen a two match suspension. United looked far the better side in the second half, and had Adam Chapman's penalty gone in, it would probably have been game over. However an injury time goal left Chris Wilder's men with 0 points from the last two games. Peter Leven was stretcherd off injured, and Michael Duberry was sent off for a second yellow, meaning a few changes are required for Monday.

United dropped to seventh place, although results earlier in the day were not that bad in terms of the play-off race. Wins for Swindon, Torquay and Shrewsbury firmed their grip on the top three, Crawley's draw put them in fourth, defeat for Southend at Bradford left them in 5th, and a win for Cheltenham moved them up to 68 points. United remain on 65, and draws for Crewe and Gillingham only narrowed the gap to the play-offs to two and three points.

Easter Monday's visitors are Torquay United, in a reverse of the New Year's Day holiday fixture. The game at Plainmoor finished 0-0. Martin Ling won manager of the month for March, and Lee Mansell won player of the month, with five wins and a draw in their last seven games. Torquay have been consistently improving throughout the season, working with a solid squad with few changes, using only 26 players all season. They have been lucky to be injury free, however only took 18 players to Barnet last week instead of the full 23 man squad. After 14 games of the season they were in 18th place, but subsequently have played 27, won 20, drawn 3, lost 4. Eleven of the wins were 1-0. Oxford are often criticised for not putting a game to bed, but how the club could have done with a handful of 1-0s, even if not so good for the nerves.

United News
Michael Duberry is now suspended for one game, and Andy Whing will presumably drop back into central defence. Peter Leven is presumably nursing a very sore leg, however reports are that he is walking and not on crutches. Chris Wilder again has several choices, whether to move Adam Chapman forward as the attacking midfielder, or options of Asa Hall, Mark Wilson and Simon Heslop. Up front, Chris Wilder persevered with the Cristian Montano, Scott Rendell, Dean Morgan front three, and in the second half that was rewarded with a goal for Montano, and some decent passing play, and neat footwork from Morgan. JPP finally made a reappearance, and with Oli Johnson and James Constable too, there is nearly a full squad to choose from.

Gulls News
Doubts from last week were centre forward Rene Howe and winger Ian Morris (knee injuries), and midfielder Damon Lathrope (ankle), however all three in the event did play against Accrington, with Howe the goalscorer.Ling has announced he is expecting the same 16 as on Good Friday, but has added a few young players to make up the 19 travelling up.

Top scorer is Rene Howe with 12 in the league, and old boy Lee Mansell has 11. This pair top the disciplinary charts with 62 and 61 fouls respectively, and Howe has somehow earned himself two red cards as well.

Other games
Below United, Crewe and Gillingham have home games against Bristol Rovers and Dagenham & Redbridge, whilst Cheltenham are away to Rotherham, and Southend travel to AFC Wimbledon. [@opponent]Torquay United[/@opponent][@connection]Torquay United[/@connection]