United continued their winless run this afternoon[@news]2060[/@news], with a 1-1 draw at home to Cambridge United[@opponent]Cambrige United[/@opponent] . Oxford dominated the game, but were unable to create the chances required to convert their vastly superior possession into goals. Cambridge scored from virtually their only attack of the first half. Rufus Brevett was adjudged to have fouled Christian Smith, and from the resulting free kick, Courtney Pitt[@player]Pitt, Courtney[/@player] (yes, that one) floated the ball over and Andy Duncan was first to the ball to head past Chris Tardif. It was almost a carbon copy of the goal that United conceded against Rushden on Monday. At the other end a Rob Duffy header forced Shane Herbert into a routine save, while Phil Gilchrist went close with a header from a free kick.

United continued to dominate in the second half, but again they were unable to create any clear-cut chances. They did make a breakthrough twelve minutes after the interval, when debutant Martin Foster slipped the ball through for Yemi Odubade, who reached the byline and crossed hard and fast for the onrushing Eddie Anaclet to head home for his first Oxford goal. United should really have gone on to win the game from here, especially after Cambridge were reduced to ten men with ten minutes to go, when Smith was dismissed for a two-footed lunge on Foster. However, Cambridge merely closed ranks even further, and the nearest the Yellows came to a winner was a long-range shot from Foster that went well wide. Danny Brown[@player]Brown, Danny[/@player] had his usual ineffectual game for Cambridge, while Rob Wolleaston[@player]Wolleaston, Rob[/@player] just played the last nine minutes after coming on for Daniel Chillingworth.

Jim Smith gave debuts to his two newest signings, with Michael Corcoran going into defence in place of Andy Gunn, and Foster joining the midfield with Andy Burgess dropping to the bench. With the formation changed to a stronger 4-4-2, Barry Quinn played at right back, while Brevett played a more conventional left back role. Anaclet played on the wide right of midfield, with Daniel Rose on the opposite flank, and Foster was partnered in the middle by Chris Hargreaves, who came into the side in place of Gregg Coombes. Up front, Yemi replaced Kris Grebis, who didn't even make the bench. The first substitution, five minutes after United's equaliser, saw Burgess replace Rose. With four minutes of normal time remaining, Smith made a double change. Marvin Robinson came on for Fast Eddie, with Yemi going to right wing, while a straight swap saw Gavin Johnson replace Brevett.

This afternoon's hapless official was John Hopkins, who did little to endear either set of supporters to him. In addition to the six Cambridge player he booked (two of them, including Pitt, for time wasting), plus Smith who was shown a straight red, he also showed Foster a yellow card, apparently for winning the ball after a Cambridge player tripped over it. Today's attendance was 5,613, with 353 from Fenland. We intend to publish a match report tomorrow (although our best intentions aren't always realised).

The dropping of two points wasn't really helpful to the Us, as Dagenham now have a game in hand and are still eight points clear. Below Oxford, though, other teams slipped up. Third-placed York City surprisingly lost 2-0 at home to bottom club Tamworth. Gravesend and Morecambe, in fourth and fifth places, were both involved in FA Trophy games, but sixth-placed Burton Albion were unable to take advantage as they could only draw 1-1 at ninth-placed Weymouth, for whom Stuart Beavon scored a last-minute equaliser. Exeter are seventh after winning 1-0 at Stafford Rangers.

Tamworth's win at York failed to enable them to close the gap at the bottom, as 23rd-placed Southport also won, beating Altrincham 2-1, with Cambridge United now level on points with Alty, but still third from bottom. Crawley are now up to 13th after beating Forest Green Rovers 3-1. United's next opponents, Aldershot, were without a game today.

In the FA Trophy, United's next home opponents, Gravesend & Northfleet, beat Rushden 2-1. It was a good day for other Conference clubs, with holders Grays Athletic, Halifax, and Northwich Victoria all beating lower-division opponents. Morecambe and Stevenage drew 1-1, and Kidderminster were held to a 0-0 home draw by Braintree. John Dempster's new club, Kettering Town, now also home to Director of Football Ron Atkinson, lost 2-0 at home to Salisbury. In the other tie, Welling beat Worcester City 2-1.