United gave the clearest sign yet that they’ve turned things around and are moving forwards, as they beat league leaders Yeovil 2-1 this afternoon, to end the Glovers’ run of nine successive victories. It wasn’t just the result, but the manner in which it was achieved which was most impressive, with a combination of some exhibition football and some dogged defending. It could be a case of “after the Lord Mayor’s show” for the Glovers, who could have no complaints about the final scoreline, but today was all about the new-look Oxford. After weathering some early pressure United came back into the game and won a succession of corners, which built up the momentum to the first goal, a superbly struck curling 25-yarder from Tommy Mooney in the 20th minute. Yeovil spent the remainder of the first half chasing the ball, and trying to keep the rampant Oxford at bay. The second half started slowly, but was livened up by another well-taken individual goal from Craig Davies 12 minutes after the break. With eight minutes remaining, former Oxford defender Scott Guyett pulled a goal back from a corner, but the Us defended the remainder of the game with resilience to take the three points.

Ramon Diaz and Horacio Rodrigues made a few changes from the side which drew at Darlington, the most significant of which was the introduction of new signing Mateo Corbo at left back. Corbo showed some excellent quality on the ball and his inclusion allowed Matt Robinson to shine as a left winger, with Jamie Brooks out injured. Lee Bradbury started wide on the right, with Barry Quinn returning from suspension to replace Lee Molyneaux in midfield. Eight minutes after scoring Davies made way for Steve Basham, and with quarter of an hour to go Molyneaux came on for Paul Wanless. In the final minute a clearly knackered Mooney went off, with Mark E’Beyer taking his place.

Today’s referee was Steve Dunn, more used to officiating in the Premiership, and who hasn’t been seen around these parts since Oxford’s 2-1 win at Reading way back in November 1999. Nevertheless, he soon made himself at home with a series of decisions worthy of fourth division officials. He also had the audacity to book Corbo on his debut, and showed Quinn his seventh yellow of the season, and his third on consecutive games. The attendance was 6,778. With a bit of luck we’ll publish a match report tomorrow.

The win lifts United one place to 17th, and closed the gap on the play-off places to just six points. Yeovil remain top, but only on goal difference after Scunthorpe beat Bury, whom United go above, 3-2 at Glanford Park. Cambridge stay bottom after a goalless home draw with 19th-placed Chester, while Kidderminster’s recent revival was reversed after they lost 2-0 at 7th-placed Macclesfield. Oxford’s next match is at Aggborough. Rushden are 22nd after they lost 4-1 at Cheltenham, and Shrewsbury are one place above them following their 0-0 draw with Boston, who are now 8th. Notts County, in 20th, also drew 0-0 at 4th-placed Southend.

Swansea remain third, after they too were held to a goalless draw by Wycombe. Northampton are fifth after drawing 1-1 with sixth-placed Darlington. Leyton Orient lost 2-1 at home to Grimsby, while Lincoln and Bristol Rovers fought out a 1-1 draw.