Oxford United 1 Altrincham 0

A goal from James Constable midway through the second half was enough to earn Oxford United all three points against a physical Altrincham side at the United Stadium this afternoon. The Us dominated the first half, playing some of the best football seen at the ground this season, with swift passing to feet, and keeping the visitors penned in their own half for long periods. United had several efforts on goal, none of which really troubled Stuart Coburn. Altrincham themselves had clearly come to defend, with the timewasting starting early, and offered little going forward. Indeed, Colin Little had the best chance to score in the first half, but his shot failed to trouble Billy Turley.

There was a flashpoint seven minutes into the second half as Constable was decked off the ball. Presumably the referee failed to see the incident as he booked the Altrincham player, rather than him off, and then also booked Constable, presumably for being fouled. While United continued to look the stronger team, Altrincham were threatening on the break, and on the hour mark Anthony Danylyk forced Turley into a good save with his feet. Eight minutes later Constable took the game by the scruff of the neck, winning a tackle and then smashing the ball high into the net after Ricky Sappleton played it back to him, while Constable was still prostrate. Oxford still had chances to win, as first Sappleton was put clean through but could only shoot straight at Coburn, and then Yemi wriggled clear but shot high and wide, as is his wont. Altrincham had Danylyk sent off five minutes from time for a second yellow card, and the rest of the game was Oxford just seeing out time.

Chris Wilder made four changes to the side that lost to York City in the FA Trophy on Tuesday. James Clarke failed a late fitness test, so Chris Willmott came into the back four, with Adam Chapman at right back and fellow new signing Shane Killock on the opposite side. Joe Burnell and Adam Murray occupied the central midfield berths, with new signing Craig Nelthorpe making his debut on the left wing. Constable was up front, of course, with Yemi and Lewis Haldane switching between the right wing and attack. On the hour, Chris Carruthers replaced Willmott, and six minutes later Sappleton came on for Haldane. The final change came with nine minutes remaining, as Matt Day came on for Yemi to shore things up at the back.

Today's referee was David Coote, who was last in charge here for Oxford's 2-1 win over Rushden & Diamonds on 4 October. He had an interesting game, with a good first half followed by a bizarre second period. Some of his decisions were inexplicable, but he was generally consistent, although he failed to endear himself to Graham Heathcote, the Altrincham manager, who gave the South Stand crowd a comedy cameo as he got more and more frustrated. Today's attendance was a disappointing 4,249, of which 4,140 were cheering on the Yellows.

The three points have send Oxford up to 10th place (subject to a successful appeal against the five-point deduction), or possibly 14th place, perhaps. Altrincham are down to 14th, or maybe 13th. Nigel Cloughless Burton Albion didn't feel their former manager's absence too much, as they won 1-0 at 18th-placed Grays Athletic. Histon stay second as they scored two goals in stoppage time to win 2-1 at bottom side Northwich Victoria. Crawley Town lost 1-0 at Mansfield Town, for whom Rob Duffy scored on his debut, to leave them third before their four points are struck from the record, while the Stags climb to 17th. Torquay United and Wrexham drew 1-1 last night so Torquay could be fourth (or maybe third) and Wrexham are probably eighth. Cambridge United beat fourth-bottom Woking 4-1 to climb into the play-off places, while two Stuart Beavon goals gave 13th-placed Weymouth a 2-0 win at Kidderminster Harriers, who are sixth-ish.

Lewes remain second from bottom (of that we're pretty sure) after going down 3-0 at York, who stay 16th. Forest Green Rovers are still third from bottom after losing 2-1 at home to Eastbourne Borough, who might well be 12th. Barrow hover just above the drop zone after they lost 3-0 at Stevenage Borough, who have climbed to, ooh, dunno, seventh, perhaps. A last-minute goal from John Dempster gave Kettering Town victory over 19th-placed Salisbury City to climb to ninth (subject to etc etc), while mid-table Ebbsfleet United beat mid-table Rushden 1-0. [@news]2446[/@news][@opponent]altrincham[/@opponent]