Oxford United earned a point at Boston with a goal just two minutes from time. Jefferson Louis headed home Dean Whitehead’s cross in the 88th minute to earn the Us a point that they deserved from their first half display. United dominated possession in the first period, winning about seven or eight corners with Boston earning none in response. However they failed to make Paul Bastock work at all and were without any kind of cutting edge. Boston exploited a rare lapse at the back when Graeme Jones headed home Lee Beavers’ cross in the 35th minute, and United were ultimately grateful to Louis for rescuing what could be a vital point.

Andy Scott started the game up front in place of the suspended Julian Alsop, and this was the only change that Ian Atkins made from the side which beat Northampton despite hinting that other changes would occur. Skipper Andy Crosby had to make do with a place on the bench. Scott only lasted fifteen minutes before being stretchered off with a painful looking leg injury, to be replaced by Mark Rawle. Ten minutes into the second half Louis came on for Scott McNiven as United chased the game, and with 11 minutes to go ROS Chris Hackett replaced Paul Wanless to provide United with some much-needed pace.

Referee Kevin Friend made no friends as he showed several unnecessary yellow cards, including those to Louis and, earlier, McNiven. He also showed a thoroughly deserved yellow to Matt Bound, whose flying tackle ended Boston substitute, and former United loanee, Stuart Douglas’s interest in the game. The attendance was just 2,664. We hope to have Jon Brown’s match report online sometime tomorrow evening.

Oxford have slipped to fourth as a result of this draw, while Boston remain third from bottom. Hull have moved four points clear at the top after their astonishing 5-1 win at Northampton, and Mansfield’s 3-1 win over Darlington sees them move up into second place, equal on points to Oxford and Swansea, who could only draw 2-2 with Lincoln, after being 2-0 down. Torquay move up to fifth after beating Bury 3-1, while United’s next opponents, Yeovil Town, are sixth after losing 3-1 at Cheltenham. York’s 2-0 win over Cambridge sees them move up to seventh.

At the other end of the table Kidderminster moved up to 21st after beating bottom club Carlisle 2-1 at Aggborough, while Southend’s 2-1 home defeat to Huddersfield sees them drop to second from bottom. Macclesfield are fifth from bottom after losing 2-0 at managerless Orient, now one place above them. Mid-table games saw Doncaster thrash Bristol Rovers 5-1 and Rochdale beat Scunthorpe 2-0.