Lewis Haldane rescued a point for Bristol Rovers with just eight minutes remaining at the Memorial Ground this afternoon. Mark Rawle had shot United into a 13th minute lead, but Oxford failed to capitalise against a poor Rovers side and allowed them back into the game.

Rawle was in the starting line-up in place of Lee Steele, who was dropped to the bench. The other change from last Saturday’s side was the recall of Matt Bound to the defence, with Jon Ashton among the substitutes. In the 62nd minute Rawle was replaced by Jefferson Louis, who was himself substituted a minute from time for Steele.

The referee was L Cable, who also took control of United’s midweek win against Torquay back in October. He had an okay game, missed some things (including a blatant handball by a Rovers defender in his own penalty area), spotted others, and booked Paul McCarthy. The attendance was a nicely symetrical 6,556. We hope to publish a match report tomorrow.

United remain third as a result of this point, but now only have a three point lead over Torquay, who beat Boston United 2-0 to leapfrog Mansfield into fourth place. The Stags’ recent poor form continued, as they lost 4-2 at Cheltenham, to drop to 5th place, equal on points with both Yeovil, who beat Cambridge 4-1, and Huddersfield, whose game at bottom club Carlisle was postponed. Leaders Doncaster beat Kidderminster 5-0 last night, while second placed Hull lost 2-0 at Lincoln this afternoon. Lincoln are eighth.

Second bottom club Macclesfield lost 1-0 at Southend, while Darlington climbed above third-bottom Kidderminster thanks to a 1-1 draw at Bury. United’s next opponents, York City, had their game at home to Scunthorpe postponed.

Dean Windass scored Bradford City’s goal in their 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest.