United maintained their unbeaten home record this season with a tough-fought draw against Scunthorpe, who saw their 100% record fall despite taking the lead in the 38th minute. Jon Ashton misjudged the bounce of the ball on the halfway line, allowing Paul Hayes to race clear and beat Chris Tardif with a low drive. This capped a poor first half for United, who never really threatened Paul Musselwhite in the Scunny goal. Oxford started the second half much brighter, with Rob Wolleaston going close, before Julian Alsop was fouled on the edge of the area in the 54th minute. Up stepped Tommy Mooney to blast the ball into the net, with the aid of a slight deflection, to level the scores. There followed a twenty minute spell of intense United pressure, but the Us were unable to make the breakthrough, thanks in part to some good saves from Musselwhite, and some close attempts from Mooney, Wolleaston and one from Lee Bradbury. Scunny also had their chances, and Tardif also made some good saves, and former United skipper Andy Crosby had a header inches wide. In the end the final score of 1-1 was a fair result (not that we particularly wanted fair).

Despite the adage “never change a winning side”, Graham Rix did exactly that, with four changes from to team that beat Mansfield on Wednesday. One change was enforced, due to Leo Roget’s one match ban for his red card, with Lee Molyneaux making his full debut, as expected, in the centre of defence, and a fine job he did too. The major change was to the formation, switching from 4-4-2 with wingers to 4-3-3. This meant Terry Parker and Chris Hackett dropping to the bench, and no place for Paul Wanless, who went off sick at half-time on Wednesday. In their place came Barry Quinn, for his first start of the season, and Danny Brown into midfield, and Alsop joined Mooney and Bradbury up front. Unfortunately for him, Brown was unable to get into the game and his distribution was, generally, appalling. He was replaced by Hackett on the hour. With ten minutes to go Steve Basham came on for the clearly tiring Alsop, and in the final minute of normal time Parker was swapped for Quinn.

Referee F Graham was taking charge of just his second ever league game, and he didn’t do too badly, considering. He booked Matt Robinson in the first half for a poor tackle on the lively Cleveland Taylor, and harshly booked Quinn for failing to retreat at a quickly-taken free-kick, although he was rather lenient in awarding Scunthorpe a corner when it looked like Robinson had taken Taylor’s legs in the penalty area in the second half. The attendance was a worrying 4,920, with less than 400 coming down to cheer the league leaders. We hope to produce a match report tomorrow.

Oxford are now twelfth in the fledgling league table, while Scunthorpe dropped down to second. Leading the league are Brian Horton’s Macclesfield, the only side with a 100% record after their 1-0 win over Swansea. Ian Atkins’ Bristol Rovers are hot on their heels following their 2-1 win over Notts County, with Christian Edwards scoring the first goal for the Gas. Wycombe drew 1-1 at Northampton, who occupy the next two places, with Kidderminster also up there after their 1-0 win over Darlington. Grimsby were the day’s high scorers, beating Bury 5-1 despite going a goal down in the second minute, while Rushden won 3-1 at Lincoln.

Yeovil were 2-0 winners over Boston, and Cambridge beat Shrewsbury 1-0 to leave the League’s newcomers as the only team yet to gain a point. Leyton Orient, who are United’s next opponents next Saturday, won 2-1 at Cheltenham, with Lee Steele scoring their opening goal. Mansfield bounced back from their midweek defeat at the Kas to win 3-0 at managerless Chester, while Rochdale beat Southend 2-0.

In Scotland, Derek Townsley was on target for Gretna in their 2-1 win at East Stirlingshire. In the Southern League Premier Division Andy Wallbridge was on target for Banbury United, but the Pilgrims went down 2-1 at Bath City. In the Eagle Bitter United Counties League Premier Division Matt Murphy scored twice for Ford Sports, who won 4-0 at Wootton Blue Cross. Martin Thomas was on target for Eastleigh in their 3-0 win over Tonbridge Angels in the Ryman League Premier Division.