Northwich Victoria 1 Oxford United 2

Oxford United earned their first away points of the season at the Victoria Stadium, a venue where the Us had never even scored before. A brace from James Constable more than cancelled out Darren Stamp's opener as United won from behind for the first time since winning 2-1 at Burton Albion on 19 August last year.

Although most of the action came in the second half, there were a few incidents before the break. Oxford started the stronger, with Chris Carruthers having a couple of early half-hearted attempts, but it was Northwich who almost scored first when Jamie Mullen forced Ben Hinchliffe to tip the ball over. On 20 minutes Constable played Jamie Guy in, but he hesitated when clean through on Scott Tynan, and the Vics keeper saved. Then Constable himself was similarly played through by Joe Burnell, but his first touch took the ball too far away from him and allowed Tynan to clear. A long-range Constable shot that was deflected wide was the final chance of the first half.

Five minutes after the restart United found themselves a goal down, when Stamp's 20-yard drive gave Hinchliffe no chance. United's heads could have dropped, but instead they raised their game, and four minutes later they were level. Carruthers shot into the Northwich area, where Burnell controlled the ball calmly amid several opposition players, and squared the ball to Constable to turn and score. The Yellows were now the more likely team to score, and both Constable and Guy went close. Midway through the half Guy chipped the ball forward to Constable, who was brought down by Tynan; the referee obviously decided that a covering defender could have cleared the ball as the home keeper was merely booked for the foul. Tynan then saved Guy's penalty, but Constable reacted quickest and put the rebound into the net. Northwich started to apply their own pressure, and there were some nervous moments for United, especially when the fourth official indicated five minutes of stoppage time. Lewis Haldane forced Tynan into another save before the referee eventually blew the full-time whistle, to much relief from the away following.

Darren Patterson stuck with the 3-5-2 formation that he trialled at Ebbsfleet on Saturday. There were two enforced changes, as Hinchliffe replaced Jake Cole in goal, the QPR loanee suffering from a groin strain that could keep him out for up to four weeks. The other enforced change saw Brentford loanee Karleigh Osborne make his debut on the left of the back three. Levi Reid started at right wingback, in place of James Clarke, while Constable returned to the starting line-up, with Yemi Odubade making way. Patto made just one substitution, with 13 minutes remaining, bringing on Haldane for Guy.

Tonight's referee was J Simpson, about whom we know not a lot, other than he was better than many others we've seen so far this season. He did show yellow cards to both Carruthers and Haldane, both for dissent, the fools. The attendance was just 973, several of whom were in the away end.[@news]2359[/@news][@opponent]northwich victoria[/@opponent]

Despite the win, United remain in 17th place, although the defeat drops the Vics to bottom place. Salisbury City have returned to the head of the table, thanks to their 1-0 win over 12th-placed Weymouth. Burton Albion go second following a fine 1-0 win at Wrexham, who are now ninth. Mansfield are in third place after Michael Blackwood scored the equaliser in their 1-1 draw at 11th-placed York City. Fourth-placed Cambridge United drew 1-1 at 14th-placed Ebbsfleet United, while Crawley Town go fifth after Simon Weatherstone scored their winner as they beat fourth-bottom Grays Athletic 2-1.

The season's first relegation battle saw second-bottom Woking pick up their second point of the season in a 1-1 draw, thanks to a late equaliser at home to third-bottom Lewes. Stevenage Borough's season remains crap, as they stay fifth bottom after losing 1-0 at Kettering Town, who are seventh, and who are United's next opponents, this Saturday. Altrincham are 19th after going down 1-0 at 13th-placed Histon.

Eastbourne Borough had the surprise result of the day, as they climbed to eighth after beating sixth-placed Forest Green Rovers 1-0. Barrow stay tenth after scoring a very late equaliser in their 1-1 draw with 15th-placed Rushden & Diamonds. Kidderminster Harriers host Torquay United on Thursday.