Oxford went to the two-sided Matchroom Stadium (otherwise known as Brisbane Road) and came away with a point and a clean sheet after holding Orient to a 0-0 draw. After just seven minutes former U Andy Scott headed against the bar from just three yards when he should have scored (but how often did we see him miss sitters for United?), but otherwise, apart from one burst from Chris Hackett whose shot was saved by Glenn Morris, there was little action in the first half. The second half had more goalmouth action, almost all of it at the Oxford end, where Chris Tardif pulled off a series of excellent saves to gain Oxford an ill-deserved point. This ends a run of seven successive away defeats, and indeed provides Graham Rix’s first away point.

As expected, Leo Roget returned to the defence, with Lee Molyneaux dropping to the bench, while Paul Wanless and ROS Chris Hackett starting in midfield, with both Julian Alsop and Danny Brown also among the substitutes. The first change was made when Dave Mackay hobbled off, to be replaced by Molyneaux, with twenty minutes to go. Four minutes later Hackett was the victim of an overly strong Scott tackle, and he had to limp off, with Steve Basham replacing him. With five minutes remaining Barry Quinn was left prostrate following an Orient corner and he had to be stretchered from the field. Alsop replaced him, meaning United finished the match with Bash and Lee Bradbury in midfield, having had to make three enforced substitutions.

Referee Clive Penton, who last took charge of an Oxford game against York, at the very end of the 2002/03 season, booked three Oxford players, all for fouls. Mackay’s booking was harsh, but Wanless and Molyneaux couldn’t really have any complaints. The attendance was just 3,426, not even filling the two sides that Orient do have left. We have been promised a match report that we will publish tomorrow.

The draw leaves Oxford and Orient 12th and 13th in the table respectively. Scunthorpe have regained top spot after beating Lincoln 3-2, while Ian Atkins’ Bristol Rovers have gone second following their 1-0 win at Darlington. Macclesfield have slipped to third after drawing 1-1 at Boston, while Rushden’s 1-0 win over Grimsby lifts them to fourth. Yeovil, 2-1 winners at Notts County, for whom Gavin Gordon was on the scoresheet, are now fifth, one place above Northampton, who lost 2-0 at previously pointless Shrewsbury.

Seventh-placed Wycombe lost 3-0 at home to Rochdale, and Mansfield beat Kidderminster 2-1. Cambridge United drew 0-0 at Southend, and Bury were held at home, 1-1 by Chester, who now find themselves propping up the league. Swansea and Cheltenham drew 1-1. In League Two, Dean Windass scored again for Bradford City as they won 1-0 at Stockport, while Manny Omoyinmi was on target for Gravesend in their 3-1 win at Morecambe. In the Conference South, Marc McGregor scored twice for Weston-Super-Mare, who beat Cambridge City 2-1, and Paul McCarthy opened the scoring for Hornchurch in the second minute as they beat Havant & Waterlooville 4-0.