Oxford United won in their new blue away strip for the first time today, as they beat second-bottom Stafford Rangers 1-0, thanks to a 12th-minute Matt Green goal. Despite what the narrow scoreline suggests, this was a game that United dominated from start to finish, albeit without scoring the goals to finish off the game. The first half-chance came after just two minutes, and eight minutes later Phil Trainer headed Green's cross narrowly wide. Two minutes afterwards and Green latched on to Eddie Anaclet's through ball and beat Danny Alcock from 15 yards. After a further ten minutes, Justin Richards shot just wide, and although the game then settled down into a more even midfield scrap, five minutes before the break Green had an excellent opportunity to score his second, but shot high.

Oxford started the second half strongly, with Anaclet alone having two good chances in the first couple of minutes. First, he forced Alcock into another save from a Jamie Hand pass, and then he shot just wide from another Green cross, coded beautifully by a Richards dummy. Craig McAllister was the next to draw a top save from Alcock, who dived full length to tip the striker's shot around the post 20 minutes from time. Alcock saved from Phil Trainer with three minutes to go, and then the keeper's all cock-up gave Adam Murray a long-range half chance that went well wide. At the other end, Billy Turley had plenty of time to perfect his quiff.

Darren Patterson made three changes to the side that capitulated so miserably to Burton Albion last Saturday, with a reinvigorated Matt Day, replacing the suspended James Clarke at right back. Anaclet started wide right in place of the transfer-listed Yemi Odubade, while Richards started up front alongside Green instead of McAllister. Fifteen minutes into the second half, McAllister replaced the disappointing Richards, and in the final minute of normal time Danny Rose came on for Trainer.[@news]2288[/@news][@opponent]stafford rangers[/@opponent]

Today's match official was Paul Tierney, taking his first United match. He booked three players, including Oxford's Day. The attendance of just 962 (including 277 in the away enclosure), is the eighth lowest that Oxford have played before in a competitive match, according to our incomplete records.

The win lifts United just one place, to 15th, a comforting 16 points above Weymouth, who occupy the top relegation spot, and a frustrating 15 points behind Burton, who are in the last play-off place. Rangers remain in the penultimate position. Leaders Aldershot didn't play today, but they are still ten points ahead of second-placed Cambridge United, who beat Woking 1-0. Stevenage Borough are third after they beat Kidderminster Harriers 2-1 on Thursday night. Fourth-placed Torquay United were without a game, while Burton play Weymouth tomorrow. Exeter City were also gameless, but Forest Green Rovers are up to seventh after they beat United's next opponents, Halifax Town, 2-0. The Shaymen have announced their intention to enter into administration. Eighth-placed Salisbury City were held to a 1-1 draw by fifth-bottom Farsley Celtic.

Bottom side Droylsden were without a game, and they are six points adrift of Stafford with two games in hand. Third-bottom Northwich Victoria beat Crawley Town 2-0, with Lee Steele scoring the second, but the Vics are still seven points behind fifth-bottom Altrincham, who lost 1-0 at Grays Athletic. In the day's other game, Histon beat Rushden & Diamonds 2-1.