Better late than never

A goal just seven minutes from time from Paul Moody rescued a point for United at Spotland after conceding a 7th minute goal to Patrick McCourt. Rochdale had the better of the first half but United, playing 5-3-2, dominated the second period until they equalised. After that Rochdale woke up and, but for better finishing, might have won the game.

United made a number of changes from the team that beat Swansea last week. In goal there was the enforced change due to Ian McCaldon's thigh injury, with loanee Andy Woodman making his Oxford debut. In front of him Matthew Bound came into the centre of defence instead of Jon Richardson. In midfield Paul Tait started the match in place of Robert Quinn and Dave Savage returned from suspension at the expense of Sam Ricketts. Phil Gray started up front with Moody dropping to the bench. The first substitution was an early enforced one, with Tait going off injured to be replaced by Quinn in the 16th minute. Moody came on for Gray after 70 minutes and Manny Omoyinmi replaced Sam Stockley seven minutes later.

Referee M. Clattenburg added two Oxford players' names to the annal of shame, with Quinn and Gray seeing yellow. Despite Rochdale's league position the crowd was only 3,355, including a healthy contingent of travelling supporters. A match report can be found here.

Top of the table Plymouth lost 3-1 at home to Shrewsbury, whilst second placed Luton were held 1-1 by Carlisle at Kenilworth Road. At the bottom end of the table Halifax Town beat Lincoln City 3-0 whilst York went down 3-0 at Rushden & Diamonds. United's next opponents, Torquay, beat Bristol Rovers 2-1 at Plainmoor to end a run of eleven games without victory.

United remain in 14th position as a result of this draw, whilst Rochdale slip one place to sixth. Because of Halifax's win the Us are now nine points off the bottom whilst the final play-off place, now occupied by Cheltenham after their 2-0 win at Orient, is ten points above United.

A former U to find the net was Paul Wanless, who scored Cambridge United's third from the penalty spot at Brighton. Unfortunately for Wanless the home side scored four to win 4-3. Simon Weatherstone scored two goals for top of the Conference Boston as they beat Northwich Victoria 3-2 at home.