A second goal in two games from Jamie Brooks earned United a well-deserved point at Darlington this windy afternoon, and they could have had three if they’d managed to convert one of several decent chances. At the end, though, Oxford were thankful for some last-ditch defending to escape with the draw. Adolfo Gregorio gave the home side the lead after just 8 minutes when Chris Tardif uncharacteristically allowed Gregorio’s shot to sneak under his body. Brooks equalised just after the half-hour, beating Sam Russell from six yards. Lee Bradbury, Craig Davies, and Tommy Mooney all went close for United, while at the other end, Tardif, Leo Roget, and Dave Mackey all put in sterling performances to deny the Darlo strikers.

As anticipated, Horacio Rodrigues and Ramon Diaz made changes to the Us midfield, with Paul Wanless coming in for the suspended Barry Quinn, and Brooks back in the starting line-up in place of Rob Wolleaston. Up front Davies started alongside Mooney, with Steve Basham dropping to the bench. Oxford had to make their first substitution after just 25 minutes, when Jon Ashton’s back injury returned to trouble him, and Dave Woozley came into the side. On 67 minutes Mark E’Beyer replaced the tiring Brooks, and four minutes later Basham was swapped for Craig.

The referee today was Graham Salisbury, who took charge of United’s goalless draw with York last season, and also the 4-2 defeat at Hull. Today he showed yellow cards to E’Beyer and Lee Molyneaux. The attendance in the 25,000 capacity all-seater stadium was 3,735. We hope to publish a match report tomorrow.

The point leaves Oxford still 18th, as Bury also drew, 0-0 at 7th-placed Leyton Orient. Darlington remain 6th. All the other fourth division games played today ended all-square, apart from second-bottom Kidderminster’s 2-1 win over 8th-placed Lincoln. Bottom club Cambridge held Bristol Rovers to a 0-0 draw at the Memorial Ground, and the game between third-bottom Rushden and fourth-bottom Shrewsbury also ended goalless.

In the FA Cup only one basement side will definitely be in the fourth round, as United’s next opponents, Yeovil, won 3-0 at Div. 2 Rotherham. Swansea are also in the draw for the next round after drawing 1-1 at Reading, and Boston drew 0-0 at Hartlepool. Elsewhere, Scunthorpe took the lead at Chelsea, but lost 3-1 and Andy Crosby scored an own goal. Chester lost 2-1 at Bournemouth, Rochdale went down 4-1 at Charlton, Northampton lost 3-1 at home to Southampton, and Notts County lost 2-1 at home to Middlesbrough, despite taking a 2nd minute lead.