Oxford United squandered two points at Halifax this evening as they were held to a 1-1 draw (as predicted on Rage Online) after Marvin Robinson had put Oxford ahead three minutes into the second half.[@news]2090[/@news] United started the match well, and Barry Quinn had a header cleared off the line following a Danny Rose corner after just three minutes.[@opponent]Halifax Town[/@opponent] Rose then scuffed a shot wide ten minutes later, before new signing Chris Zebroski sliced a clearance just over his own bar following a Halifax free kick.

Almost immediately into the second half Zebroski managed to work the ball to Carl Pettefer right in front of goal, three yards out, but his snap shot was deflected wide by Craig Mawson. From the resulting Rose corner, Luke Foster's shot was headed off the line and against the post by Tom Kearney, who then reacted quickly to head the ball away from Zebroski, but if fell nicely for Robinson to tap the ball home from close range. United were looking the livelier team, but after Halifax adjusted their shape, and Oxford failed to match the change, the Shaymen came back into the game. With 20 minutes to go the home side got their reward, thanks to some slack Oxford defending. Lewis Killeen was given far too much room out wide, and his cross found Danny Forrest unmarked, six yards out, and he easily beat Billy Turley. Forrest should have wrapped up the points for Halifax two minutes from time, but he failed to make a decent connection when he was again unmarked six yards out and the ball span to Luke Foster, who slipped on the ball, which struck his hand, but penalty claims were waved away.

Jim Smith made three changes to the side that won 3-0 at Altrincham on Saturday. Rufus Brevett replaced Gavin Johnson, who was rested. In midfield, former Shayman Martin Foster started his two-game suspension and was replaced by Pettefer, while up front Zebroski was handed his Oxford debut, with Yemi Odubade relegated to the bench. In his wisdom, Smith made no substitutions.

Tonight's referee was P N Gibbs, who coincidentally also took charge of the game between the sides in Oxford, back in August. He showed Eddie Anaclet a yellow card after the young wingback fouled a Halifax player shortly before half time. Tonight's attendance was undoubtedly affected by the TV coverage, and was a paltry 1,473. We may, or we may not, produce a match report tomorrow.

The draw leaves Oxford eleven points adrift of Monday's opposition, Dagenham & Redbridge, and nine points clear of sixth-placed Burton Albion, who now have two games in hand on Oxford. Halifax move up two places to 17th, two points above 21st-placed Cambridge United and still with games in hand on their nearest challengers.