Oxford lost 1-0 at York City this afternoon in a game that was meaningless for United, but meant quite a lot to the home side.[@opponent]York City[/@opponent] The hosts got the result that they wanted to ensure their play-off place, while Oxford will be thankful that they don't have to return to KitKat Crescent later this week for the play-off semi-final. Results elsewhere mean that we have the joy of a trip to Exeter City on Friday instead. Dean Bishop scored the only goal of the game with a 20-yard shot after a weak clearance from Eddie Anaclet. To be fair, United weren't there just to make up the numbers, and went close to equalising on a number of occasions, with Danny Rose in particular trying to force himself into Jim Smith's thinking for the play offs.[@news]2118[/@news]

Smith's initial team selection reflected his desire to rest some key players, and check out the performances of others. However, he was dealt a cruel blow before the game when goalkeeper Billy Turley injured his thumb in the warm up, meaning Chris Tardif was handed a rare start. Turley's injury isn't as bad as was feared at first, and he should be fit for Friday. Also in the starting line-up was Gavin Johnson, who played left wingback in place of Andy Burgess, while in midfield both Chris Hargreaves and Martin Foster were rested, with Rose and Anaclet replacing them. United were then forced into an early substitution when Luke Foster had a nasty knock and had to go to hospital for an exploratory X-ray. Eddie Hutchinson came on for his first bit of senior action since his injury against Woking on Boxing Day. Twenty minutes into the second half Johnson was rested, with Rufus Brevett coming back for his first game since his dismissal at Northwich Victoria, three weeks ago. United's final substitution took place with 20 minutes remaining, with Yemi Odubade thrown into the fray to replace Anaclet, who had another disappointing game.

The man in the middle today was M Oliver, who was the same chap who was in charge of Oxford's 3-0 win at Morecambe, back in September. He was, to say the least, lenient, as some fearsome two-footed challenges went unpunished, and several players were lucky to stay on the field, including Oxford's Micky Corcoran and Barry Quinn. Quinn was booked for his deliberate handball, where other refs might have been inclined to show red, but York players also benefited from Mr Oliver's laissez-faire attitude. The attendance was 5,378, of whom 852 were cheering on the Yellows. Needless to say, this was York's best of the season by some distance, but it was still only the third-best crowd of the final Conference day. We hope to publish a match report tomorrow, or the day after. If anyone wishes to submit one that will help make this aspiration reality.

With today being the final day of the Conference calendar, all outstanding issues (other than who will be promoted alongside Dagenham & Redbrige) were decided. Morecambe's 1-0 win over Grays Athletic ensured that they finished third, and will play York in the play-off semi-finals. Exeter City came back from a goal down to beat Southport 2-1, in front of 6,670, to set up their semi-final against Oxford. At half time that fifth place looked like it was Burton Albion's, with Exeter losing and the Brewers beating Rushden & Diamonds, but like Exeter, Rushden hit back to win 2-1. Gravesend's faint chance of play-off glory fell apart as they lost 2-1 at champions Dagenham.

At the other end there were nervous times for half-a-dozen clubs, all in danger of joining St Albans, Tamworth, and Southport in the relegation zone. Halifax secured their survival with a 2-1 win over Stevenage Borough, with Andy Campbell[@player]Campbell, Andy[/@player] scoring both goals for the Shaymen. Cambridge United ensured that their local derby next season will be against Histon, rather than Cambridge City, by beating Tamworth 1-0, watched by 6,021. Crawley Town's 0-0 draw with Kidderminster Harriers was enough to ensure that their ten-point deduction was ultimately meaningless. Grays' defeat at Morecambe was similarly rendered insignificant, thanks to Stafford Rangers losing 1-0 at home to Forest Green Rovers, and Altrincham drawing 0-0 with Aldershot Town. Alty were relegated as a result.

Relegation into the Conference is still up for grabs, after Boston United equalised against already-relegated Torquay United, for whom Lee Mansell[@player]Mansell, Lee[/@player] opened the scoring. Macclesfield lost 3-2 at Accrington Stanley, to leave themselves just one point above Boston, but with Boston playing Wrexham in the final game, the Red Dragons losing 1-0 at top-of-the-table Walsall, any one of those three clubs could still go down. Swindon's 1-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers, coupled with Franchise winning 2-0 at Wycombe Wanderers, means that the pariah club could still overtake that 'orrible lot from the wrong end of the A420. There is three points between them, and Swindon have a superior goal difference of four goals. Of less interest to Oxford, but worth noting for its hilarity value, Dean Windass[@player]Windass, Dean[/@player] scored the goal that gave Hull City a 1-0 win at Cardiff City, and thus ensured that Leeds United are relegated to the Third Division after Ipswich Town scored a very late equaliser at Elland Road.