United rounded off the season with one of their best displays, completing the double over Rochdale at the KasStad this afternoon. The Us were a bit slow out of the blocks, but eventually took the lead after 33 minutes when Steve Basham got back on the scoresheet, shooting home from close in. Six minutes later an excellent move by the Us culminated with Dean Whitehead, who had earlier been presented with the Supporters Player of the Season trophy, scoring a rare headed goal from an excellent Danny Brown cross. United had several opportunities to add to their tally as they totally dominated Rochdale, the best one being a fine left-footed effort from debutant Tom Winters that Matt Gilks did well to save. Although there was no further scoring in the second half, there was never any danger to United who finally picked up that elusive first win for Graham Rix.

As ever, Rix made several changes to the starting line-up from last week’s game at Macclesfield, some of them enforced. Andy Crosby returned from his one-match ban to reclaim the captain’s armband from Deano, coming in for Jon Ashton, and Matt Bound started at left-back. With Chris Hackett injured, Barry Quinn started in the centre of midfield and Brown came in for Courtney Pitt on the left side of the middle four. It was all change up front as Basham and Julian Alsop came in for Lee Steele and Jefferson Louis. Rix made a tactical change at half-time, replacing Bound with Steele, Brown dropping back into defence. In the 63rd minute Winters came on for his first appearance, replacing Basham who received a well-deserved ovation, as did Alsop, who was replaced by Louis with seven minutes left. It remains to be seen how many of those on show were playing their last games in an Oxford shirt.

The referee was famous crooner Barry Knight, who entered into the relaxed spirit of the occasion by failing to show a yellow (or red) card to anyone. The attendance was slightly better than expected 5,134. We might even get around to writing a match report (tomorrow).

United finished the season in ninth place, failing to climb above Yeovil, who won 3-2 at Lincoln. This wasn’t enough for the Glovers to get into the play-offs though, as Northampton won 2-1 at Mansfield. More importantly, Torquay won 2-1 at Southend to clinch the third promotion position, climbing above Huddersfield, who were held 1-1 at Cheltenham.

In the Second Division Port Vale beat Rushden & Diamonds 2-0 to relegate the Diamonds, and Grimsby lost 2-1 at Tranmere to join Wycombe and Notts County in Division Three next season.