Grays Athletic 2 Oxford United 0

United's dismal season went from worse to worser in Essex this afternoon, as they lost to the side second-bottom of the Conference in a game that was dishearteningly similar to the drab performance at Lewes earlier in the campaign. Oxford dominated the first half and created a number of decent chances, but were caught by a sucker punch counter attack two minutes before the break. A humiliating own goal by Billy Turley three minutes from time finished off the game as a contest.

The first chance of the game fell to Phil Trainer, who headed over from just two yards out. Lewis Haldane and James Constable both missed good opportunities to score, and Haldane had a strong penalty appeal turned down. With the half looking destined to remain goalless, Joe Burnell lost possession in midfield. Andre McCollin outpaced the plodding Chris Willmott and squared the ball for Scott Forrester to slide the ball home with Grays' first chance of the match.

Oxford started the second half strongly, but again missed some gilt-edged chances. Jamie Guy could have levelled the game when he beat the offside trap for once, but as he tried to round the goalkeeper he lost possession. Turley made a good save from Barry Cogan with Grays' second chance, and five minutes later he somehow put the ball into his own net as he tried to catch a mis-hit shot from Sam Sloma. United's appalling away form continues, and there are now grave concerns about the side's ability to remain in the FA Cup at Dorchester Town on Tuesday.

Darren Patterson made just one change to the side that could only draw with Dorchester last weekend, bringing Barry Quinn back into the defence, which allowed Burnell to move back to midfield in place of Eddie Hutchinson. With United chasing the game Patto made a double substitution, bringing on Yemi Odubade and Guy for Constable, knackered after his goal-scoring exploits for England C on Tuesday, and Burnell. With the game drawing to a close, Hutchinson replaced the disappointing ROS Sam Deering.

The referee today was Essex-based M Stewart, who was obviously mindful of the wellbeing of his neighbours, although to be fair the only player he booked was ex-U Stefan Bailey. The attendance was a paltry 892, of which about a third or more were Yellow, and fair play to them.

The defeat sees Oxford drop two places to 17th, while Grays climbed one place to 22nd. Lewes remain bottom after losing 1-0 at home to top-of-the-table Burton Albion, while Northwich Victoria's 1-1 draw at ninth-placed Stevenage Borough couldn't prevent them from dropping to second bottom. Forest Green Rovers occupy the other relegation place after they were well beaten 3-1 at home by Altrincham, who are in the rare lofty position of 12th. Fifth-bottom Woking drew 0-0 at 18th-placed Eastbourne Borough, and Mansfield Town are 19th despite beating 16th-placed Salisbury City 3-0. Dorchester lost 2-0 at Hampton & Richmond and are 17th in the Conference South, without a home win to their name. A statistic that, strangely, decreases confidence for Tuesday yet further. [@news]2406[/@news][@opponent]grays athletic[/@opponent]