United moved back up to third in the Third tonight, behind Swansea on goals scored, after beating Torquay 1-0 at the KasStad. This was United’s first midweek home win for over five years and came thanks to a Julian Alsop header following a left-wing cross from Matt Robinson with twenty minutes remaining. Torquay were reduced to just a couple of chances all game as Oxford continued where they left off against Northampton on Saturday, although the Gulls’ defence was significantly stronger. In addition to the goal Oxford spurned two good chances courtesy of Jefferson Louis, and Steve Basham forced an excellent save from former United loanee ‘keeper Arjan Van Heusden in the final minute.

United started with the same line-up as played against Northampton, with Paul McCarthy continuing in the centre of defence in place of Andy Crosby. Ian Atkins made just the one substitution, with Louis replacing Alsop seven minutes after he had scored. Andy Scott was poised to come on, presumably for Basham, until Bash got a second-wind and there was no need for him to go off.

Referee L Cable was appallingly inconsistent, missing two blatant handballs by Torquay defenders in the penalty area and booking Robinson for kicking the ball away a split second after the whistle had blown. He also showed yellow cards to Scott McNiven and James Hunt. The attendance was again poor, just 5,479 of whom just over 400 were Torquay fans, making up the lowest gate at the Kas this season. A match report should make its way online tomorrow evening, or so.