In the draw for the third round of the FA Cup today, the winner of the replay between Oxford United and Southend United were given a home tie against Dagenham & Redbridge.[@opponent]Dagenham and Redbridge[/@opponent] The match would most likely be played on Saturday 5 January, when United are due to welcome Altrincham to the United Stadium.

Readers who are not yet suffering the effects of Alzheimers may recall that United and Dagenham were drawn against each other in last season's competition too, in the fourth qualifying round.[@news]589[/@news] That game, at Dagenham, was won by a Rob Duffy penalty, with Billy Turley saving a Daggers spot-kick at the other end. The reward was a visit to Wycombe Wanderers, where the Us lost 2-1.

Before playing Dagenham, though, United need to win the replay at Roots Hall on 11 December. Prior to that, this Saturday, United travel to the Conference's bottom side, Northwich Victoria for their last league match before Boxing Day, when Crawley visit Grenoble Road. The Us are currently eight points adrift of the final play-off place, occupied by Burton Albion, who were handed a trip to Swindon Town should they win their FA Cup replay at Barnet. It looks certain that Oxford should forget any hopes of the automatic promotion spot, following Aldershot's 4-0 win at Salisbury City this evening, which takes the Shots four points clear of Torquay United, and 20 points above the Yellows. Still, never mind, eh.