Three goals earned Oxford United three points at Morecambe this afternoon, in a game that, despite the convincing scoreline, was never comfortable for the Us. United had to weather some early pressure from the home side before Steve Basham latched onto a long clearance from Billy Turley to head the ball past Ryan Robinson in the 22nd minute. Eleven minutes later United gave themselves some breathing space when Chris Willmott headed a Carl Pettefer corner back across goal. Robinson parried the ball and Phil Gilchrist arrived to head home his first goal for United since he returned to the club.

At the start of the second half United had an ideal opportunity to wrap up the game when Marvin Robinson was held down by Chris Blackburn and Oxford were awarded a penalty. With Rob Duffy injured Basham took the spot kick, but Robinson did well to make the save and keep Morecambe in the match. Danny Carlton hit the post for the hosts, while at the other end Robinson did well to save a Yemi Odubade shot with his legs. With three minutes played of the four minutes stoppage time, Andy Burgess cut inside and curled the ball past Robinson into the top corner to give the scoreline a somewhat flattering look.

Jim Smith was forced into three changes from the side that beat St Albans eight days ago. Chris Hargreaves is suspended after being sent off in that game, and so Eddie Hutchinson came into midfield. With Gavin Johnson’s hamstring tear keeping him out for up to eight weeks, new signing Rufus Brevett made his debut as left wingback. Up front Basham started in place of the injured Duffy. Robinson, who dislocated his finger in the St Albans match, was fit enough to start up front alongside Basham. At half time Smith brough on Matt Day at right wingback, in place of the disappointing Eddie Anaclet. Twenty minutes into the second half Bash made way for Yemi, and with 20 minutes remaining, Hutchinson was replaced by Yemi’s fellow England National XI international, John Dempster.

Today’s referee was another Conference special, Michael Oliver. He didn’t do anything outlandish, but he was as usual inconsistent in his decision making, and overly fussy. He booked six Oxford players: Anaclet for a tame foul, Robinson for an alleged dive when his namesake in the Morecambe goal looked to have tripped him in the penalty area, Hutchinson for a foul (fair enough), Barry Quinn for timewasting at a free kick, Day for kicking the ball away (again, fair enough), and at the death, Turley for time wasting. The attendance of 2,314 was Morecambe’s highest of the season, and was the Conference’s second best of the day. We hope to publish a match report sometime in the next day or two; if any of the 572 United supporters who were at the game wish to contribute a report, that would be special.

The three points United won today give them a three point lead at the top of the Conference, while Morecambe drop to 13th. Grays, whom Oxford face next Saturday, have gone second following their 4-0 win over Southport. Dagenham & Redbridge are third, five points behind United, despite being held to a 2-2 draw at Woking, who equalised in stoppage time. Aldershot are now fourth after they drew 0-0 at Exeter, Oxford’s next opponents on Tuesday, who are now seventh. Weymouth have dropped to fifth after drawing 1-1 at Burton Albion.

York, who were second, are now down in 6th place after losing 3-0 at Crawley, who are now 22nd with three points. Considering they started the season on -10 points that is quite an incredible turn around. Gravesend are 8th after they drew 1-1 at Halifax, while Stafford Rangers are 9th, despite getting hammered 6-0 at 20th-placed Stevenage Borough. Rushden have climbed to tenth after beating Altrincham 3-0. Elsewhere, Kidderminster lost 2-0 at home to Tamworth, while St Albans won 3-0 at Northwich Victoria. At the bottom, Cambridge United stay in 24th place despite picking up a point at 23rd-placed Forest Green Rovers, thanks to a last-minute equaliser.