Back in the mixer

United characteristically went and beat promotion rivals Lincoln at Sincil Bank today, with a fourth minute goal from leading scorer Andy Scott. This was United's first victory in six games following poor performances against clubs threatened with relegation and it puts the Us right back in the promotion frame. Scott could, and arguably should, have increased United's lead a few minutes after he scored, but he shot wide from just seven yards. The rest of the game saw Oxford withstanding Lincoln's fruitless aerial assault and come away with a deserved three points.

Ian Atkins made three changes from the side which failed to beat Carlisle on Tuesday. Bobby Ford came back from suspension to replace James Hunt and Matt Bound also came back into the side to form a central defensive trio, with Roy Hunter dropping to the bench. Dave Waterman rejoined the side, coming into his old midfield role as Andy Scott was pushed forward to replace Jefferson Louis. Hunter came on for Ford after 73 minutes, and Louis replaced Dominic Foley with about two minutes of normal time to go.

Referee R Pearson, who took charge of United's game at Cambridge in October, saw fit to show yellow cards to Andy Woodman for time-wasting, Andy Scott, Scott McNiven and Paul McCarthy. The attendance was 3,990 and, thanks to Howard Roberts, a match report can be found here.

United have risen two places up to seventh, back into the play off zone, leapfrogging Lincoln who have dropped to 8th. Leaders Hartlepool came from 2-0 down to draw at Kidderminster, United's next opponents who are now eleventh, four points behind Oxford but with a game in hand. Rushden are now only one point behind 'Pool after coming back from a goal down to win 2-1 at Bristol Rovers, who now slip down into the second relegation spot. Bournemouth are back up to third following their 2-0 win at Scunthorpe, who have slipped to tenth place.

Wrexham came from a goal down at Hull to win 2-1 and jump into fourth, two points behind Bournemouth with two games in hand. Torquay are fifth following their 2-0 win at Rochdale while York, who didn't play today because their scheduled fixture was against Carlisle who are in tomorrow's LDV Trophy final, have slipped to sixth. Bury are now ninth after winning 2-1 at the league's bottom club Exeter who are now three points behind third-bottom Carlisle but have played two games more.

There is now a six point gap between Cambridge in 12th, who drew 1-1 at Macclesfield, and 13th placed Southend, 2-0 winners over Darlington and everyone from Cambridge up to Bournemouth can still harbour realistic hopes of going up automatically. At the bottom of the table Orient did themselves a lot of good by beating Boston 3-2 to leave the Pilgrims sixth from bottom and Orient three places, and five points, further up the division. The other game was a goalless draw between relegation rivals Shrewsbury and Swansea, a result which doesn't help either side. In the Conference Yeovil beat Telford 3-0 to ensure that they will definitely be playing Division Three football next season.