Gray day for Yellows

For the first time this season Oxford came from behind to win, substitute Phil Gray scoring twice as the Yellows beat second-placed Mansfield 3-2. Wayne Corden put the Stags ahead in the 23rd minute from the penalty spot but loan signing Dave Morley equalised on his debut with a header from a corner after 59 minutes. An own goal from Wayne Hatswell ten minutes later put Mansfield in the driving seat again before a couple of inspired substitutions by Ian Atkins saw Gray equalise in the 77th minute and then head the winner three minutes from time (excluding the four minutes stoppage time).

Atkins made three changes from the side that started at Hull two weeks ago. Robert Quinn came into the midfield for the suspended Dean Whitehead; Dave Crosby made his debut in the centre of defence in place of the suspended Phil Bolland; and Morley started alongside him instead of Scott Guyett, who was on the bench. Crosby was also given the captaincy. The substitutions which changed the game in Oxford's favour were the replacement of Andy Scott with Gray, followed shortly afterwards by Manny Omoyinmi coming on for Sam Stockley on the right wing. The other unused substitutes were Chris Hackett and Sam Ricketts, meaning that for a second consecutive game Atkins decided not to have a replacement goalkeeper on the bench.

Referee GK Hegley, who also reffed our home defeat to Macclesfield, didn't produce any cards for either side. The official attendance was 5,437. A match report can be found here, ahead of schedule for a change.

This win lifts United just one place to 17th, above Swansea who drew 0-0 with Carlisle at the Vetch. Mansfield have dropped one position to third, being overhauled by Luton who beat Rushden & Diamonds 1-0 at home. Plymouth remain top thanks to a 1-0 home win over Darlington, whilst Halifax stay bottom after losing 2-1 at home to Shrewsbury.

In the Second Division Andy Thomson scored QPR's first goal, from the penalty spot, as Rangers won 3-2 at Chesterfield. Former Osler Roader Jermaine McSporran scored Wycombe's goal as they went down 5-1 at Stoke. Mark Angel was on the mark for Boston, scoring the Conference leaders' third goal in their 4-0 win over Woking. Their nearest rivals Dagenham & Redbridge also won, beating Margate 4-1 with Mark Stein hitting the second goal.