A very inexperienced Oxford United team were well beaten at Exeter City this evening, going down 2-0 to two first-half Adam Stansfield goals. The final scoreline flattered United, who offered nothing up front, and were often disorganised and stretched in midfield and defence. However, it was Oxford who fashioned the first opportunity, as Danny Rose got in front of his marker to head narrowly wide from a James Clarke cross. After that, it was all Exeter, and it was no surprise when they took the lead on the half-hour mark. Stansfield outpaced Luke Foster and, although Billy Turley got a hand to his shot, he scored with a powerful near-post drive. Exeter, and Stansfield, doubled the score seven minutes later, when Ben Weedon put Carl Pettefer under pressure with a poor pass. Petts was dispossessed and Stansfield played in with just Turley to beat, which he did with a neat dummy. Just before half time Rob Duffy got on the end of another Clarke cross, as Andy Marriott flapped at the ball, but his header was weak and was easily cleared from the goal line by Andrew Taylor.

United were a bit more organised in the second half, but could still have conceded more goals. Turley saved well with his legs from a Dean Moxey drive, and Steve Basham did exceedingly well to control a long ball and smash it against the outside of the post from a very narrow angle. At the other end, Marriott had almost nothing to do. Oxford did mount a small bit of pressure towards the end, with Declan Benjamin looking particularly lively, but they created nothing resembling a goal threat, and Darren Patterson must be wondering where the next goal is going to come from.[@news]2259[/@news][@opponent]exeter city[/@opponent]

With Barry Quinn, Michael Corcoran, Andy Murray, and Yemi Odubade all suspended, and Eddie Hutchinson reporting in sick before the squad travelled, Oxford were down to the bare bones, as they were before last season's New Year's Day fixture at St James Park. Transfer-listed Matt Day replaced Corcoran in central defence, while Weedon was given his first United start at left back in place of the also transfer-listed Alex Jeannin. Newly returned from injury, Eddie Anaclet played on the right wing, with another newly fit player, Rose, on the opposite flank. Up front, Yemi was replaced by Alex Fisher, making his first start for United. At half time, Jeannin replaced Weedon, who had been given a difficult time. Quarter of an hour into the second period, Declan Benjamin came on for his second appearance, with Fisher giving way as Rose went up front to partner Duffy. With just over a quarter of an hour remaining, Joel Ledgister came on for Rose, with Anaclet switching to the left wing. This coincided with United's most effective spell of the match, although that isn't saying very much. With the possible exceptions of Clarke, Foster, Rose, and the substitutes, no United players came out of this display with pride intact, and none of the transfer-listed players would have done anything to endear themselves with any potential new teams.

This evening's referee was, again, Oli Langford, the man who officiated at United's 1-0 defeat at Tonbridge Angels, as well as the chap who sent off Pettefer when United won 2-0 at Kidderminster Harriers. In the event, he had a relatively harmless game tonight, although he did show yellow cards to Foster and Duffy. The attendance this evening was 3,301, of whom very few were in the world's worst away end.

As a consequence of this defeat, and results in the Conference yesterday, United have slipped to 15th place, their lowest since relegation. They remain nine points behind the play-off zone, although with no realistic hope of challenging for promotion, and a more healthy, but not insurmountable, 16 points from the relegation zone. Exeter climb to eighth, just two points beneath the play offs.

Significant Conference results yesterday included the 1-0 home defeat of leaders Aldershot by Forest Green Rovers, while Stevenage Borough went second after beating bottom side Droylsden 5-0. Cambridge United stay fifth after losing 2-1 at Grays Athletic, despite taking the lead, with Michael Standing[@player]standing, michael[/@player] scoring both Grays goals. Grays are Oxford's next opponents, which is a worry. Another ex-U on the score sheet was our old friend Jamie Cook[@player]cook, jamie[/@player], who hit a hat trick as Crawley Town beat Rushden & Diamonds 4-1.