Another game, another defeat, as United went down to a late Scott McGleish strike at Northampton Town this evening. Oxford put in a far better performance than against Lincoln on Saturday, but still failed to seriously test loanee keeper Paul Rachubka. On the other hand, Chris Tardif and then Simon Cox both found themselves with plenty to do, despite a much tighter showing from the Us’ back line. Despite playing with only one up front, this was an attacking display from the Yellows, who looked good for at least a point until McGleish’s free header seven minutes from time.

Graham Rix made just one change to the side which started against Lincoln, bringing in Barry Quinn into the five-man midfield and dropping Paul Wanless. Tardif, who was suffering from a back problem and apparently hadn’t trained yesterday, was substituted for Cox thirteen minutes into the second half. With twenty minutes left Lee Bradbury took over the lone-striker role from Tommy Mooney, and a couple of minutes after conceding, Steve Basham was taken off and Mark Rawle came on, alas to no avail.

Tonight’s referee was F Graham, who also took charge of United’s home game against Scunthorpe back in August. He showed yellow cards to Chris Hackett, for kicking the ball away, to Quinn for a foul, and to Jamie Hand for an altercation. We have been promised a match report, which we hope to have online sometime tomorrow.

This defeat sends Oxford down another league place, to 18th, while Northampton have risen to 12th. Swansea have regained the lead of the League 2, beating former incumbents Orient, now third, 1-0. Scunthorpe are back up to second following their 3-2 win over Southend, with Andy Crosby scoring the winner. Yeovil, in fourth, drew 2-2 at Bristol Rovers after being 2-0 up and despite Rovers being reduced to nine men, with Dave Savage one of those dismissed. A goal from James Hunt started their recovery. Mansfield are fifth after losing 2-0 at Cheltenham, while United’s next opponents, Macclesfield, are sixth after being held to a 1-1 draw by third-bottom Cambridge at Moss Rose.

At the other end of the table, Shrewsbury remain bottom after drawing 1-1 with Grimsby. Kidderminster are second from bottom, not having a game, and nor did Chester, three places above them. Notts County, in 21st position, drew 1-1 with Darlington. Other games included Bury drawing 1-1 with Boston, Lincoln and Rochdale also sharing the spoils with a 1-1 draw, which was the same scoreline between Wycombe and Rushden.