Oxford United 1 York City 0

Substitute Yemi Odubade made the difference today. He won and converted a penalty five minutes from time to earn the points for United and secure their fifth successive home win.[@news]2398[/@news][@opponent]york city[/@opponent]

United shaded the first-half possession, without testing York keeper Michael Ingham. The first chance arrived on 11 minutes when Jamie Guy stole the ball from Ingham's grasp but chipped the ball over from an awkward position. Ingham made the day's first save when he scrambled low to his right to keep out a long-range Matt Day shot. At the other end Billy Turley was virtually a spectator, with all the York efforts on goal drifting harmlessly wide.

United started the second half with more purpose, and soon had York on the back foot. However, for all their pressure United lacked a cutting edge until Yemi came on in the 62nd minute. It took him just four minutes to get his first shot on target, forcing Ingham into a low save. With 12 minutes to go ROS Sam Deering was hauled back as he charged into the penalty area, but the free kick was awarded outside the box and it looked like the game was destined to end goalless. That was until Yemi took matters into his own hands, latching onto a lofted pass from Phil Trainer, Yemi charged into the area and tempted Darren Kelly into a rash tackle. The referee pointed to the spot and Yemi shot to Ingham's right, with the keeper diving left. In the remaining time York still failed to threaten Turley's goal as the Us cruised to victory.

Darren Patterson made just one change to the side that beat Hayes & Yeading in the FA Cup last Saturday, with Day coming in at right back for the injured James Clarke. Eddie Hutchinson, replacing Lewis Haldane at half-time, was Oxford's first substitution. Yemi came on for Guy.

Today's referee was Rob Lewis, taking charge of an Oxford game for the first time since March 2006, when he officiated in a 0-0 draw at Notts County. His handling of the game was inconsistent, penalising some fouls while allowing similar offences to go unpunished, and oddly not even speaking to Kelly after he conceded the penalty, despite Yemi being through on goal. Still, he didn't book any Oxford players, which was nice of him. Today's attendance was 4,449, of whom exactly 300 were descended from the Vikings.

The three points lifts United two places to 15th in the Conference, while York are now in 13th place. Lewes remain at the foot of the table after losing 2-0 at eighth-placed Wrexham. Grays Athletic are second from bottom after losing 2-0 at sixth-placed Kidderminster Harriers, for whom Justin Richards opened the scoring. That was Grays' ninth straight away defeat this season. Northwich Victoria are third bottom after losing 2-1 at home to Eastbourne Borough, who are now 18th. Forest Green Rovers, whom United visit in the Setanta Shield on Tuesday, occupy the fourth relegation place after losing 3-1 at 11th-placed Barrow. Woking are 20th after losing 1-0 at home to ninth-placed Stevenage Borough.

Kettering Town remain top of the league despite losing 1-0 at home to tenth-placed Weymouth. Torquay United are now second after they beat Mansfield Town 2-0. The Stags are now 19th following their four-point deduction. Histon's impressive season continues as they climbed to third after winning 1-0 at 16th-placed Altrincham. Burton Albion are fourth after beating 17th-placed Ebbsfleet United 3-1, while early pacesetters Crawley Town are down to fifth after they lost 2-0 at 14th-placed Salisbury City on Thursday. Today's other game was a 0-0 draw between Cambridge United, in seventh place, and Rushden & Diamonds, who are 12th.