Results in today’s Third Division games were mixed, as far as United are concerned. Huddersfield’s 1-0 win over Southend takes them six points ahead of Oxford, and virtually ensures that automatic promotion is now beyond the Us. Similarly, Northampton’s 3-2 win at Hull means that the Cobblers are now only three points behind United, with a game in hand, although Oxford has by far the better goal difference. Lincoln’s 2-1 win over Swansea takes them up to fourth, two points ahead of Oxford who have now dropped back down to 7th.

On the other hand, Yeovil were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Cheltenham, leaving them five points beneath United, although with a game in hand. Mansfield lost 1-0 at Darlington, so they are still only one point above Oxford. League leaders Doncaster won 2-1 at Ian Atkins’s Bristol Rovers, who are only five points above the relegation zone.

Also at the bottom, Carlisle’s revival continued with a 1-0 win over Kidderminster, leaving the Cumbrians just three points from safety as Rochdale could only draw 2-2 at Scunthorpe. Macclesfield’s 1-0 win over Orient gives them a three point gap over York. In the Conference, Mark Wright’s Chester City beat Exeter 3-2 to go six points clear of Hereford, while in Division Two Wycombe are now ten points from safety after going down 2-1 at leaders Plymouth.

Former United players to find the net include John Durnin, who hit the final goal for Accrington Stanley in their 4-1 win over Forest Green Rovers. In the SPL Andy Thomson scored the only goal of the game as Partick Thistle beat Hearts.