Cheers, Boston

Oxford came away from their first ever football league visit to York Street with all three points thanks to an inspired attacking first half performance. Paul Powell scored his second of the season after just sixteen minutes with an excellent shot from distance. Beleaguered striker Andy Scott doubled United's lead after 24 minutes and he then doubled his tally for both the game and the season eleven minutes later. In the second half Oxford relaxed their grip on the game and allowed a brief Boston fight back, during which Neil Redfearn pulled a goal back for the home side ten minutes into the half, but despite a couple of scares the Us' defence held firm and United recorded their second away win in five days.

United made one change from the team that won at Bristol City on Tuesday, Matt Robinson's hamstring not recovering in time so Powell made his first start of the campaign. Despite scoring two goals Scott was substituted just six minutes into the second half, being replaced by Manny Omoyinmi. In injury time Omoyinmi was himself taken off with Jefferson Louis getting a very brief run out.

Referee: Mike Thorpe showed Powell a yellow card for dissent, but otherwise the Us' disciplinary record remained unscathed. About a fifth of the attendance of 2,685 was comprised of United supporters, one of whom, Jim Henderson, has kindly supplied a match report, of sorts, which can be found here.

This victory lifts Oxford into tenth place, six points behind leaders Hartlepool who won the North East derby against Darlington 4-1, whilst leaving Boston firmly entrenched at the bottom three points adrift of Swansea, who crashed 4-0 at Wrexham. Rushden dropped to second after they could only draw 0-0 at fifth placed York, whilst a Paul Simpson penalty earned Rochdale a point at home to Shrewsbury, and keeps Dale in third place. United's next opponents, Leyton Orient, needed a last minute goal to salvage a point at home to Lincoln,

In the Conference Mark Stein put Dagenham & Redbridge a goal up, but they eventually lost 2-1 to Burton Albion. Meanwhile in the Scottish Premier League Derek Lillee scored Dundee United's goal in their 2-1 defeat at home to Dunfermline.

Into the Valley

Oxford have been drawn to play away to Premiership Charlton Athletic in the second round of the Worthington Cup, Robbie Mustoe and all. The game will be on either Tuesday October 1st or Wednesday October 2nd.

New U

Oxford United's newest supporter, Anna Rebecca, joined the throng at 6.38 this morning. Her first act as a loyal supporter was to prevent her father from travelling to Boston. She was a healthy 8lb 2oz and is already looking forward to a life of gloom and despondency following the Yellows, but seems fairly happy nonetheless. She has yet to be named, but will probably not be called after any of the current United squad.