Dull Hull

United's unbeaten record stretched to five games today, but the Us had to settle for a draw at home to Hull after dominating the game but being unable to put the ball into the back of the net. Hull's expensively assembled squad certainly looked nothing to be afraid of and their play was littered with mistakes, but Oxford weren't able to capitalise, despite coming close on a few occasions, notably when Paul Musselwhite had to be alert to save well from a Bobby Ford free kick and when Scott McNiven blasted over after being set up by David Oldfield. However, as is the way of these things, United almost threw it away in the final minute as they pressed forward to be caught on the break, but the Hull player shot criminally wide with just Andy Woodman to beat. It's not often that a Rage Online prediction comes true, but unfortunately this one did.

United started with the same line-up as played the full 90 minutes at Orient on Tuesday, playing the 3-5-2 formation for the first time at home this season. Midway through the second half Manny Omoyinmi replaced the tiring Oldfield, and with five minutes remaining Dave Savage was swapped for Jefferson Louis, but despite giving the Us more attacking pace and options they still lacked the vital cutting edge.

Northampton referee Richard Beeby had a reasonable game, considering, although he bottled an important decision when he showed only a yellow card to Justin Whittle after the Hull defender had brought down Andy Scott when he was clean through on goal. The attendance was only 5,445, which was still the biggest in the division and United's best of the season so far. A match report can be found right about here.

United remain in eighth place despite dropping two points (we'd have gone up to fourth if we'd won) and are still six points behind leaders Hartlepool, who drew 1-1 at Bury. Torquay have risen to second after they won 1-0 at bottom club Swansea whilst Rochdale are now third after they could only draw 0-0 at Kidderminster. Lincoln go fourth following their 2-1 win over Southend, but York were hammered 3-0 at Cambridge and drop to fifth. Rushden and Wrexham remain above Oxford after they drew 2-2 at Irthlingborough.

Jamie Cook scored Boston's first goal, and Stuart Douglas their second, but they remain second from bottom after losing 4-2 at Carlisle. Orient have slipped to third from bottom after losing 1-0 at Exeter. There was a high scoring game at Gay Meadow where Shrewsbury lost 5-2 to Bristol Rovers, for whom Giuliano Grazioli scored a hat-trick. In the division's other games Scunthorpe won 3-2 at Macclesfield and Darlington and Bournemouth drew 2-2. Elsewhere Phil Bolland and Scott Guyett were both on the scoresheet for Chester as they beat Dagenham & Redbridge 5-2.

Hull hammered

The real action took place this morning when Raging Fever FC met up with the Hull supporters at Horspath Road. This was the team that thrashed RFFC last season, as I'm sure you remember, but this year the tables were turned. Four goals from an inspired Jon Matthews gave the Fever a healthy first half lead and this was added to not long after as Gary Silver hit a hat-trick, a Hull player scored an own goal and Jon added another to his impressive tally. The final result was Raging Fever 9 Hull Supporters 2. And Hull had all eleven players turn up, unlike Torquay. The full RF line-up was: Joel; me, Nick, Rick, Gary B (Rob Curtis); Domi (Rob Collier), YF Dan, Gez (capt), Rob Curtis (Domi), Gary S, Jon. Many thanks to the huge crowd who turned up to roar us on to victory (yes, that's you Gunth, Andrew and Stuart). Next game is at York on Saturday.

LDV draw

United have been drawn at home to Bournemouth in the first round of the LDV Trophy. The game will probably be on Tuesday 22nd October