Oxford United won at Moss Lane yesterday, but they so nearly threw it all away having taken the lead, and then conceding a late equaliser again. Altrincham, who haven't gained a point at home yet this season, started nervously, but at times they looked like the team most likely to earn the points. United started brightly, and passed the ball around well, without really threatening Stuart Coburn's goal. It was the home side that nearly took the lead midway through the half, when a Joe O'Neill header looped over Chris Tardif, hit the underside of the crossbar, and was scrambled clear. Ten minutes before half time the best move of the match led to United taking the lead. Alex Jeannin and Yemi Odubade exchanged passes on the left wing, before Yemi floated in a perfect cross for Paul Shaw to head home his first goal for his new club.

In a scrappy, physical second half, Oxford still looked to be cruising to victory, until Carlos Logan replaced Colin Little. Logan immediately began to cause problems for Mickey Corcoran with his pace, and Corkers often resorted to fouling the speedy winger, often going unpunished. Tardif was forced into a full-length, finger-tip save from a long-range Robbie Lawton shot, and with 13 minutes remaining Altrincham achieved the equaliser they deserved when Logan again beat Corcoran and whipped in a dangerous cross. Arthur Gnohere, having an outstanding game on the left of the back three, managed to head it away from the onrushing Alty striker, but the ball fell to Jake Sedgemore who wasn't closed down and whose shot brushed Tardif's fingers on its way into the net. Altrincham kept their momentum going, and looked favourites to score the next goal as Oxford's characteristic nervousness started to assert itself. However, with just four minutes remaining, United took the lead against the run of play. Jeannin whipped in a cross from the left and Matt Day was at the far post to head home. The Alty heads dropped, and after Karl Munroe was dismissed for hauling down Marvin Robinson the result was never in doubt (well it was, this being Oxford United). There was still time for another Oxford goal, this time United scoring in the last minute of added time as Yemi latched onto a spooned clearance by Steve Aspinall, raced clear, and placed the ball perfectly past Coburn for a scoreline that flattered Oxford.

United made four changes to the side that was held by Exeter City in midweek. Billy Turley was still injured, so Tardif made his first start of the season, with youth-team keeper Sam Worrell on the bench. Eddie Odhiambo-Anaclet was injured in training on Friday, so Gnohere (pronounced Noor, apparently) came into the back three, with Day moving to the right wingback position, where he excelled. Michael Standing was replaced by Eddie Hutchinson, recovered from injury, while Yemi started up front, with Daniel Rose dropped to the bench and Shaw playing just behind the front two. Hutch went off ten minutes into the second half, replaced by Carl Pettefer, and then Jim Smith made a double substitution ten minutes later. Rob Duffy was holding his hamstring as he went off, to be replaced by Robinson, while Shaw was also rested, presumably with Tuesday's game at Grays Athletic in mind, with Rose coming on.

Yesterday's referee was Jock Waugh, who had a fine, if a little fussy, game. He booked Yemi for retaliating to a foul by Aspinall, but otherwise kept his cards in his pocket, apart from the straight red shown to Munroe. The attendance was just 1,298, which indicates that Altrincham's ploy of allowing league club season-ticket holders in for just a fiver was unsuccessful in attracting new supporters, which is a shame, as the part-timers could do with more income, situated in an area surrounded by league sides.

The three points puts United into a much healthier position, in fifth place just three points behind the leaders. Altrincham remain fourth from bottom. Aldershot, who visit Oxford on Saturday, are the division's new leaders after they beat bottom side Northwich Victoria 5-0. Neither Torquay United nor Stevenage Borough played yesterday, but they still remain in second and third place respectively. Cambridge United are fourth after they drew 1-1 at Exeter City, who have dropped to ninth. Forest Green Rovers are sixth thanks to their 1-0 win at Grays, where Oxford play next.

Seventh-placed Burton Albion host Torquay United tomorrow, while Stevenage are at home to second-bottom Stafford Rangers. Droyslden are now third-bottom after getting hammered 5-0 at Crawley, who are 18th, but who would be eighth if they hadn't been deducted six points. York City's decline continued with a 3-0 defeat at Kidderminster Harriers, who are eighth, leaving the Minstermen fifth from bottom. Salisbury City are tenth after they drew 1-1 with Rushden & Diamonds thanks to a last-minute goal, while Weymouth beat Ebbsfleet United 2-0 with Jefferson Louis scoring the second. Farsley Celtic won 2-1 at Histon.