Mark Rawle came off the bench to score his sixth goal of the season, all as substitute, to give United all three points at his former club, Southend. Rawle was set free by Alsop in the 68th minute, having been on the pitch just eight minutes, to coolly lob Darryl Flahaven. United had started off the first half the better team, but it was Southend who went closest when former United triallist Leon Constantine hit the post. After going ahead United seemed content to soak up the pressure and hang on to the single goal lead, much to the frustration of the 1,191 away supporters.

United were unchanged for the third game in a row, but were forced into an early substitution when Paul McCarthy limped off to be replaced by Jon Ashton after 34 minutes. Rawle came on for Steve Basham on the hour.

Referee Iain Williamson had an excellent game, and didn’t show a card to any Oxford players. Unfortunately for former Us’ target Drewe Broughton the ref did produce two yellow cards, both for Broughton who walked the walk in the 90th minute. The attendance of 6,449 was Southend’s highest league gate of the season. We hope to publish a match report sometime soon, maybe even tomorrow.

The win sends United two points clear at the top, above Doncaster who lost 3-1 at Hull, who go third. Mansfield have dropped to fourth, five points behind Oxford, after drawing 1-1 at Macclesfield, while fifth placed Yeovil lost 3-2 at sixth placed Swansea, United’s next opponents in nine days time. Lincoln are seventh after being held 2-2 at home by Cambridge.

The clash of the bottom two saw Carlisle and Darlington draw 1-1, allowing Darlo to move to within three points of third-bottom Southend. Cheltenham are fourth from bottom after losing 1-0 at home to Northampton. Rochdale are level on points after going down 2-1 at home to York, for whom Lee Nogan scored both goals.

In Division One Dean Windass scored the only goal as Bradford City beat Coventry 1-0. Yesterday saw Andrew Thomson open the scoring for Partick Thistle as they beat Dunfermline 4-1. Also yesterday Jamie Brooks scored the only goal of the game as Maidenhead beat Hayes in the Ryman League Premier Division.