Graham Rix had an unhappy birthday at Macclesfield this afternoon, as the Silkmen won 1-0 despite a vastly improved performance from the Yellows. With United on top, and Alan Fettis having done well to deny Tommy Mooney, a long-range shot from Mike Sheron five minutes into the second half condemned the Us to their fifth successive defeat, during which time they have scored just one goal.

Rix made a number of changes from the side that lost by the same score at Northampton on Tuesday. Jon Ashton started his first game since the Yeovil debacle, replacing David Woozley, while Mark E’Beyer made his first start for Oxford, coming into the midfield instead of Chris Hackett. Rob Wolleaston also made way, with Lee Bradbury coming back into the starting line-up. On the hour mark, E’Beyer was replaced by Hackett, and after 73 minutes Mark Rawle came on for Steve Basham. With six minutes left Leo Roget, who had been clobbered by a couple of heavy challenges, was replaced by on-loan Sam Togwell, making his United debut.

The match referee was Phil Joslin, who last took charge of an Oxford game in last season’s home win over Cheltenham, Ian Atkins’ last game in charge. He didn’t book anyone, which is nice. The attendance, if it can be called that, was just 2,007. We hope to be able to publish a match report tomorrow, if someone sends us one.

The defeat drops United another two places, into 20th position, and raises Macclesfield up to fifth. Scunthorpe have regained the leadership of the division after their 1-0 win over Yeovil, who have dropped to 8th. Orient are back up to second after a Lee Steele hat-trick helped them to a 4-3 win at Lincoln. Swansea drop to third after their home game against Darlington was postponed. Bristol Rovers are now 4th after beating bottom club Kidderminster Harriers 2-0, leaving the Harriers just four points behind Oxford.

Managerless Shrewsbury are second from bottom, their 1-1 draw with Southend lifting them above Kidderminster on goal difference. Cambridge lost 2-1 at Cheltenham, United’s next opponents, to leave them third from bottom, while the only other team below Oxford is Rochdale 5-1 victims of 6th-placed Northampton. Notts County and Chester both climbed above Oxford, both winning 2-1 at home, against Boston and Grimsby respectively. Gavin Gordon opened the scoring for Notts. Bury and Rushden drew 1-1, as did Wycombe and 7th-placed Mansfield.

In the Conference, Jefferson Louis scored his first goal for Forest Green Rovers, but they lost 3-1 at home to Northwich Victoria. In League One, Dean Windass was on target again, scoring in Bradford’s 3-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday. In the Southern League Premier Division Banbury United beat King’s Lynn 3-1, with Howard Forinton among the scorers. In the Nationwide South league, Jamie Cook gave Maidenhead the lead, but they lost 2-1 at home to Eastbourne.