United 2 Macclesfield Town 1

Oxford beat both the elements and the Silkmen to record their third consecutive win and to bring 2010 to an end on a winning note. United took the lead in the 17th minute when Simon Heslop finished off a flowing move that involved James Constable and Steve MacLean.

The lead was doubled 20 minutes from time when Constable smashed the ball into the roof of the net after Alfie Potter and Heslop had both failed to finish from decent opportunities. However, with eight minutes remaining Macc pulled a goal back after Ryan Clarke appeared to be fouled as he tried to gather a Lewis Chalmers cross. There was no flag from the assistant referee and Clarke and the ball dropped to the ground, where Ricky Sappleton was waiting to prod home.

There was a surprise recall to the United squad for Jack Midson, released early from his loan at Southend United, but the tall striker had to settle for a place on the bench. This was more than new signing Laurence Gaughan was able to achieve, with Jake Wright fully recovered from his recent foot injury. Josh Payne started in place of Southampton loanee Paul Wotton, who was another to fail to make the bench.

Both sides started slowly, the long enforced break leaving the players rather rusty. The better openings went to the visitors, who forced several openings without really testing Clarke. It was from United