Arse!

United crashed out of the FA Cup at Highbury yesterday, going down 2-0 to a half-strength Arsenal side through Denis Bergkamp's 100th Gunners goal on 15 minutes and a Scott McNiven own goal in the 67th minute. United hardly mounted a challenge with a disappointing performance. Andy Scott's lame header straight at David Seaman was Oxford's only on-target attempt (discounting Steve Basham putting the ball in the net after five minutes long after the offside flag had been raised) and United didn't win a single corner. Incidentally, this was Oxford's first defeat while wearing their blue away kit.

Oxford started with the same team, and defensive tactics, that were employed at Rushden. Jefferson Louis injected some life into the United front line when he replaced David Oldfield nine minutes into the second half. Ten minutes later Scott came on for David Savage, who was carrying an injury, and six minutes before the end Lee Steele came on for a below-par Basham. All to no real effect as the midfield and defence sat too deep and surrendered possession too readily.

Referee Clive Wilkes was, to say the least, disappointing. He clearly favoured the Premiership side and gave several dubious decisions against United, including booking both Bobby Ford and Matt Robinson for having the temerity to make good tackles. Dave Waterman also, inevitably, saw yellow whereas no Arsenal players were booked, even though Bergkamp's elbow on Ford took place right in front of Wilkes. The attendance of 35,432 included approximately 5,432 Oxford supporters (including many who were not in the Clock End). And a match report can be found here.

Four Division Three teams will be in the hat for the fourth round draw tomorrow lunchtime. Shrewsbury had the result of the day, beating Everton 2-1 at Gay Meadow thanks to two goals from Nigel Jemson. Rochdale won 2-1 at Preston where Paul Simpson scored the winner. Cambridge United were held to a 1-1 draw at the Abbey Stadium by Millwall whilst Bournemouth drew 0-0 at home to Crewe. Darlington were victims of a giant-killing, losing 3-2 at home to Farnborough, whilst Exeter were unable to emulate Oxford's League Cup exploits, losing 3-1 at Charlton. Macclesfield lost 2-0 at home to Watford and Scunthorpe went down by the same score at home to Leeds.

There were a handful of Division Three games yesterday. Hartlepool extended their lead at the top of the table to five points after winning 1-0 at Boston, with Rushden only able to draw 1-1 at Torquay, a result which sees the Diamonds nine points above Oxford, but with the Us having three games in hand. Hull climbed to within three points of Oxford after beating Bristol Rovers 1-0, and Carlisle climb above Rovers and two places above the relegation zone after beating Southend 1-0 at Brunton Park. Oxford remain fourth.

In the Conference Jon Richardson put Forest Green ahead in their 3-2 win over Woking, for whom Nicky Banger scored. In the FA Cup Matty Elliott scored Leicester's first as they beat Bristol City 2-0.