Oxford’s play-off hopes were dealt a devastating blow at home to Northampton this afternoon, as the Cobblers came from behind to win 1-0. United had the better of the first half, but went in goalless at the break, despite having two good shouts for penalties, denied by referee Andy Penn. First Tommy Mooney was blatantly pushed in the back, in full view of the official, but nothing was given. Next, Craig Davies was tripped by goalie Lee Harper as he went round him, but Penn instead booked Davies for diving. Oxford again dominated the opening phases of the second half, and deservedly took the lead just before the hour mark, when Mooney slid in at the far post to knock in Davies’s cross. Chris Hackett allegedly dived in the build-up to the goal, which upset the Northampton bench a wee bit, leading to Dave Watson, their goalkeeping coach, being dismissed. The goal also fired up the Cobblers’ players, who hit back just six minutes later. Chris Tardif misjudged the flight of a cross, and his mistake allowed Eric Sabin to head home. Just six minutes later and the away side took the lead. Tardif saved a Sabin shot, but the rebound fell to Scott McGleish, who gave Northampton their first ever win in Oxford.

Jon Ashton’s illness forced Horacio Rodriguez to make one change from his preferred starting line-up. Lucas Cominelli made his first start for United, coming into central midfield. This meant that Lee Bradbury played wide on the left, Matt Robinson dropped to left-back, while Mateo Corbo filled in for Ashton in the centre of defence. Immediately after Oxford took the lead, Hackett was replaced by Jamie Brooks. Four minutes after Northampton took the lead, Steve Basham came on for Cominelli as Oxford adjusted to 4-4-3

Referee Penn was last seen in Oxford in March 2003, when United drew 1-1 with Cambridge. On that occasion, Robinson was the only Oxford booking. Today, six United players, including Robbo, saw yellow. The others were Cominelli, Davies (as mentioned), Corbo, Barry Quinn, and Leo Roget. The attendance was 7,032. A match report should appear tomorrow, all being well.

This defeat sees Oxford drop another place, to 16th, with Northampton rising one, up to 7th, seven points ahead of United. At the bottom, Cambridge lost again, 1-0 at home to Macclesfield, as did second-bottom Kidderminster 1-0 at home to Chester. Third bottom Rushden didn’t fare any better, going down 2-1 at home to Wycombe, who went above Oxford as a result. Fourth-bottom Shrewsbury made their position somewhat safer, winning 1-0 at Grimsby. Notts County won 2-1 at Darlington to stay 20th.

At the top, Yeovil won 4-2 against Bristol Rovers, for whom Richard Walker scored a late consolation. Scunthorpe are now two points behind after they drew 0-0 at Southend last night, while Swansea are third after they lost 3-1 at Orient, for whom Andy Scott scored the opener. Lincoln are fifth after losing 3-1 at Rochdale, while Boston and Bury drew 2-2. United’s next opponents, Cheltenham, won 2-1 at Mansfield, to go 8th.