Oxford United were back to their best as they comfortably beat an in-form Stevenage Borough[@opponent]Stevenage Borough[/@opponent] 2-0 at home this afternoon. Playing stylish football throughout, the home side restricted the visitors to just one chance on target, a tame header straight at Billy Turley at the end of the match. At the other end, United created chance after chance, and but for some inspired goalkeeping from Alan Julian the scoreline would have been even more convincing.[@news]2075[/@news]

In the first half, Julian spectacularly saved a Matt Day header from a Martin Foster corner, and Michael Corcoran's shot from the follow-up corner came back off the post. Julian made another save from a Danny Rose shot five minutes before the break, and again shortly afterwards. Then, in the final minute of the first half, an Andy Burgess corner was met by the head of Day, and this time Julian was unable to reach the ball, which nestled in the back of the net to give United a half-time lead. It was more of the same from Oxford after the break, and quarter of an hour into the second half Eddie Anaclet picked up the ball from a Day free kick, cut inside onto his left foot, and shot United into a two-goal lead, thanks to a deflection. Oxford continued to press, and Burgess and Yemi Odubade both came close, and created further chances, and the final scoreline hardly did justice to United's domination.

Jim Smith was forced into two changes from the side that won at Tamworth last weekend. Barry Quinn's injury, that he received at the Lamb, allowed Day to come into the side, while Chris Hargreaves' suspension gave Burgess his chance. Quarter of an hour from the end, Marvin Robinson came on for Rob Duffy, who looked like he had received a knock. With seven minutes remaining Carl Pettefer came on for his first game since he was injured at Woking, replacing Foster.

Today's referee was M Mullarkey, who was also in charge for United's 1-1 draw with Crawley. He didn't have too bad a game, although he did book Foster for absolutely no reason whatsoever. The attendance was a very acceptable 6,410, of whom 519 were in the away enclosure. We hope to produce a match report in the not too distance future.

Unfortunately the win didn't close the ten point gap on Dagenham & Redbridge, who won 4-1 at third-bottom Southport, who United play next, on Tuesday. Stevenage are now eighth after this defeat. Significantly, there is now a seven-point gap between Oxford and third-placed York City, who were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Forest Green Rovers, who are Oxford's next home opponents. Gravesend & Northfleet are fourth, level on points with York, after winning 2-1 at Kidderminster Harriers, while Exeter City dropped to fifth after losing 3-0 at Rushden & Diamonds. Morecambe are sixth after the beat St Albans 2-0, to leave the Saints fourth from bottom.

Tamworth remain bottom of the Conference, but they will have been buoyed by their 1-0 win at Northwich Victoria. Altrincham are second from bottom after they lost 2-1 at seventh-placed Burton Albion last night. Grays Athletic are in 20th place after they drew 2-2 with Weymouth, for whom Stuart Beavon scored both goals. Stafford Rangers lost 2-1 at home to Cambridge United, while Woking and Halifax Town shared the spoils with a 2-2 draw.