This afternoon, Oxford United concluded their least successful season for some time by securing their fifth successive win, beating Ebbsfleet United 3-1 at Stonebridge Road in front of a vociferous and celebratory away crowd. Matt Green opened the scoring in the first minute, and 19 minutes later Phil Trainer added a second. Another five minutes elapsed before Green added his second and United's third. Ebbsfleet scored a consolation goal through George Purcell five minutes into the second half.[@news]2313[/@news][@opponent]ebbsfleet united[/@opponent]

United took to the field to be greeted by a colourful display from the Ultimate Yellows, and they rewarded the large away support with a goal after just 35 seconds. Yemi Odubade, on fire in recent weeks and surely due to be removed from the transfer list, chipped the ball forward for Green to run on to. Green's heavy touch looked to have taken the ball too close to Lance Cronin, but the speedy striker managed to get to the ball before the Fleet goalie to knock it past him and into the net. Six minutes later United had a strong appeal for a penalty when Yemi was caught by Sacha Opinel, but the refusal failed to prevent Oxford from dominating the first half. On 20 minutes, Eddie Anaclet held onto the ball before slipping a perfect pass through to Yemi, who raced to the byline before crossing hard and low for Trainer to thump the ball home at the far post. Yemi was then set free by a Trainer and Green combination, but he couldn't keep his shot down. Eight minutes later and United made the game safe with a goal similar to the opener. Odubade lobbed the ball over the ponderous Ebbsfleet defence for Green to run on to, and as Cronin came out Green slipped the ball past him. James Smith booted the ball off the line, but the assistant referee indicated that the ball had crossed the line. Cronin also had to be alert to tip over crosses from Yemi and Anaclet, while Billy Turley had yet to make a save. He was called into action a couple of times before the break, first to get down quickly low to his right to save a snapshot from Stacey Long, and then to fling himself to his left to keep out a strong drive.

The Fleet started the second half strongly, and it was no surprise when they pulled a goal back. Matt Day dithered at the back, allowing an Ebbsfleet player to nip in front of him and steal the ball. His far-post cross was met by George Purcell, who forced the ball past Turley from a tight angle. The home side now had the bit between their teeth, and they sought to get themselves back into the game. A snap shot struck Barry Quinn's arm, but penalty appeals were waved away, while the back line, and Turley, soaked up everything else that was thrown at it. James Clarke eased the pressure on a couple of occasions by embarking on storming runs down the right wing, but generally Oxford looked a bit ragged and disorganised in the second period. When the game eventually ended, United's players and manager were hailed as heroes by the travelling support, and the compliment was returned.

Darren Patterson made one change to the team that beat Rushden & Diamonds 1-0 last Tuesday. Green started up front alongside Yemi, in place of Craig McAllister. Three minutes before half-time United's Player of the Year Luke Foster saw his season end early, for the second season in succession on the final day, when he hobbled off, to be replaced by Clarke. Midway through the second half, Patto made a double substitution, bringing on Danny Rose for Anaclet, and McAllister for Green. It will be interesting to discover how many of the players on view today will be playing for Oxford again next season, with Michael Howard, Jamie Hand, and Green all on loan, and Matt Day, Anaclet, and McAllister all out of contract, while Yemi and unused substitutes Eddie Hutchinson and Carl Pettefer are, like Day, on the transfer list.

Today's referee was, initially, Nick Kinseley, who was also in charge of Oxford's 2-1 home defeat by Cambridge United in March, and the home 2-1 win over Salisbury City in September last year. He didn't particularly endear himself to the Ebbsfleet fans by awarding United's third goal and then denying the penalty when Quinn handled the ball. He did give the home supporters something to cheer, though, when he was injured 15 minutes into the second half, to be replaced by his assistant Chris Miller. Neither official blotted their copybooks by booking any Oxford players. Today's attendance was 1,852, but was nevertheless Ebbsfleet's biggest home league attendance of the season.

The win lifted United over Ebbsfleet, and so the Us finish the season in ninth place. Disappointing, but better than anticipated just a few weeks ago. Ebbsfleet dropped to 11th. Champions Aldershot finished the season with 101 points after drawing 1-1 at Rushden. The play-off places finished with Cambridge United in second place after they won 2-0 at Northwich Victoria. Their opponents will be Burton Albion, who finished fifth after drawing 4-4 at home to fourth-placed Exeter City, despite the Brewers leading 4-2 with just three minutes remaining. Exeter will have a Devon derby in the play offs, as their opponents will be Torquay United, who lost 2-1 at home to Crawley. Jamie Cook gave the Gatwick side a 2-0 lead, but Tim Sills reduced the arrears.

The relegation places were also finalised today. Third-bottom Farsley Celtic's faint hopes of survival were dispelled after they lost 3-1 at home to Grays Athletic. Joining them will be Altrincham (circumstances permitting), who finished fourth from bottom for the third season running after they drew 2-2 at Weymouth. This was enough to send Alty down, despite Halifax losing 2-1 at home to Stevenage Borough. At the very bottom, Stafford Rangers leapfrogged Droylsden thanks to a 2-1 win over the Bloods. Oxford's hopes of finishing eighth were dashed by the result at the New Lawn, where Forest Green Rovers and Histon drew 2-2. The two remaining games both finished 3-0, with Salibsury beating York City, and Woking beating Kidderminster Harriers by that scoreline.

Joining United in the Conference next season will be either Mansfield Town or Chester City from the fourth division. Mansfield lost 1-0 at home to crisis-club Rotherham United, while Chester drew 0-0 at Shrewsbury Town. If Chester earn just one point from their two remaining games, then the Stags will be down. Dagenham & Redbridge won 3-2 at Darlington to ensure their survival, while Notts County's 1-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers, for whom Sam Stockley was sent off, was enough to secure their league status for another season.

The Conference North play offs will be contested by AFC Telford, who will face Barrow following the Holker Street side's 1-0 win over Worcester City. Stalybridge Celtic, who beat Redditch 6-0, will play Southport. In the Conference South, where half a dozen or more teams were fighting for the last two play-off places, Eastbourne Borough will play Braintree Town, who beat Borough 1-0, while Hampton & Richmond will face Fisher Athletic, who won 2-1 at Newport County.