United take on Gravesend & Northfleet[@opponent]Gravesend & Northfleet[/@opponent] tomorrow, in what is arguably their most important game of the season so far. Gravesend were the first team to beat United in the Conference this season, back on 18 November[@report]282[/@report] after Oxford's 18-game unbeaten run, and if they win tomorrow they will leap-frog Oxford, and they still have a game in hand on United. If Oxford win, on the other hand, they will be five points clear of Gravesend, and a win could give them the confidence to kick-start their season and push on to challenge Dagenham & Redbridge for automatic promotion.

Jim Smith has a couple of extra options to add to the squad that drew 1-1 at Aldershot last Saturday. Both Barry Quinn and Carl Pettefer have recovered from 'flu, while goalkeeper Billy Turley has got over his calf strain, and played for an hour with the reserves on Wednesday, as did Pettefer[@news]2066[/@news] and Kristap Grebis, who came on for the injured Rob Duffy after 15 minutes at the Rec. Duffy suffered no lasting ill effects, and is fit to play. Although Matt Day is close to being fit, he won't be ready for tomorrow's game, along with long-term injury victims Steve Basham, Eddie Hutchinson, Georges Santos, and Chris Willmott. However, the availability of Quinn and Pettefer arguably gives Smith his strongest squad for some time.

Gravesend are obviously no slouches, and are now just two points behind the Us, whereas they were 15 points adrift when Oxford visited Northfleet. Fleet are fourth in the current form table, whereas Oxford are fourth from bottom, but that doesn't give an indication of United's recent improved performances. Fleet are unbeaten in their last seven games, including win at Grays Athletic (2-0) and Exeter City (3-1), neither of which Oxford were able to achieve. However, they are also hindered by the presence of Rob Quinn[@player]Quinn, Robert[/@player], the invisible midfielder, and Paul McCarthy[@player]McCarthy, Paul[/@player], who actually had a decent game against the Us back in November. However, despite all evidence to the contrary, Rage Online is quietly confident that this is the game that will see the Yellows back to their best, and we think that United will win this one, maybe even by as much as 2-0, if there's a favourable wind and (less likely) a competent referee.

Leaders Dagenham face a difficult trip to Burton Albion, who are seventh, six points adrift of the Yellows. Third-placed York City are at home to fast-imploding Weymouth, and a win for the Minstermen would take them above Oxford should United lose, meaning that the Us could find themselves in fourth place by the close of play tomorrow. Exeter City, in fifth place but four points below Gravesend, are at home to in-form Kidderminster Harriers, currently second in the current-form table. Morecambe, in sixth place, are at home to struggling Cambridge United, in 17th place.