Oxford United 1 Altrincham 0

A solitary goal from Damian Batt, his first for Oxford United, was enough to beat an Altrincham side that had come to the Kas with the sole intent of stifling the Us. Batt smashed the ball home from 20 yards with a half-volley after his fellow full-back Steven Kinniburgh had done well to hold up the ball in the corner and then pull the ball back for Batt to run on to.

Despite the Altrincham tactics, United should have won by a much greater margin, but were undone by poor decision making and errant finishing. The first real chance came in the 12th minute when Simon Clist was pulled down by Alty goalie Stuart Coburn. The referee awarded a penalty, which was taken by Matt Green. It was a poor spot-kick and Coburn saved. Altrincham's sole chance of the half came midway through, when Colin Little should have done a lot better when he sliced wide. Jack Midson had a couple of opportunities to score, heading over when well placed and then putting the ball in the net after being adjudged offside.

The second half was one-way traffic, without Coburn having to make any proper saves. Green was United's liveliest player, and he almost got on the end of a Sam Deering cross before Batt's goal. After the goal United still created chances, with James Constable and Deering both shooting over, and Green embarking on one excellent run along the byeline before shooting tamely into the side-netting, with Constable and Deering both waiting for the more sensible cut-back. Altrincham came close to an undeserved equaliser when Shaun Densmore's snap shot was smartly headed off the line by Kinniburgh. This wasn't a pretty performance, but at the end it was definitely a case of 'job done'. United can't beat every negative opponent by four or five goals, but it's important that the side don't get frustrated, keep patient, and get the points.

Chris Wilder brought back James Constable and Matt Green into the starting line-up, with Jamie Cook dropped to the bench and Adam Chapman also making way. On the hour Midson was replaced by Deering, and with 13 minutes remaining Green made way for Cook. With four minutes remaining Adam Murray handed the captain's armband to Constable as Ross Perry took to the pitch.

Today's referee was Ian Cooper, who was also in charge of United's 2-1 reverse at Lewes last season. It would be incorrect to report that Mr Cooper endeared himself to the Oxford crowd, as he and his assistants made a number of apparently random and bizarre decisions, almost none of which appeared to favour the home side. He also booked Constable for no reason while allowing a number of more blatant fouls by the opposition to go unpunished. Today's crowd was 5,609 of whom 79 were from the salubrious suburbs of Manchester.

Today's other results went Oxford's way, leaving United eight points clear of second place. Altrincham have dropped one place to 13th. Second-placed Stevenage Borough drew 1-1 at third-placed Kettering Town, while Mansfield Town remain fourth after scoring a 94th-minute equaliser at home to Histon. Luton Town, under new boss Richard Money for the first time, were beaten 1-0 at home by Rushden & Diamonds, who have climbed to sixth. Seventh-placed York City lost 3-1 at Crawley Town.

Bottom side Chester City are now on -7 points after beating AFC Wimbledon 3-1, and are now just 16 points adrift of Ebbsfleet United, who lost 1-0 at home to Wrexham. Third-bottom Forest Green Rovers drew 1-1 with Eastbourne Borough, while Jamie Slabber scored twice for fourth-bottom Grays Athletic as they were held to a 3-3 draw at home to Barrow. Gateshead's 1-0 win at Salisbury City leaves them fifth from bottom, but with a three-point gap over Grays. Hayes & Yeading stay 19th after winning 2-0 at Tamworth.

United's opponents next Saturday in the FA Cup first round, Yeovil Town, were thumped 4-0 at Leeds United. [@news]2585[/@news] [@opponent]altrincham[/@opponent]