Oxford travel to Tamworth[@opponent]Tamworth[/@opponent] tomorrow, looking for their first double of the season. United beat Tamworth 2-1 on 25 November[@report]283[/@report], which was their last home win until the Gravesend game, last Saturday. However, the Us still haven't won away from home since the 3-0 win over Cambridge United, over four months ago. If Oxford are to have any hope of catching Dagenham & Redbridge, now ten points clear after their 4-1 win at Kidderminster on Tuesday, then it is vital that they gain all three points at The Lamb, against the side that is currently bottom of the Conference.

Jim Smith's options have increased slightly since the Gravesend game, with Matt Day having come through 90 minutes for the reserves in their defeat by Ardley United on Wednesday. Significantly, Day played at left back, which has been a problem position for the Yellows recently, as neither Gavin Johnson nor Rufus Brevett have coped well with the rigours of the season. United were boosted by the news in midweek that the Cardiff duo of Gregg Coombes and Mike Corcoran have extended their loans for another month, and so the revelatory Corcoran is likely to remain at the heart of the defence, which is unlikely to be changed unless Smith is prepared to risk Day so soon after his come back. In midfield Smith has another dilemma, following Carl Pettefer's return from injury as a substitute last week. He came on for former Tamworth player Eddie Anaclet, wide on the right, and with Martin Foster and Chris Hargreaves both having decent games Smith may be wondering about how to accommodate them all. Danny Rose is likely to continue on the left, although Andy Burgess played the full game for the reserves. Up front it is still difficult to see beyond a Rob Duffy and Yemi Odubade partnership, especially with Latvian striker Kris Grebis suffering from a knee injury.

Although Tamworth remain rooted to the foot of the table, three points adrift of Southport, prior to their 1-0 defeat at Burton on Tuesday they had taken seven points from their previous three games, although that included a 1-1 home draw with Southport. It is at home where their form has been poorest, not having won at the Lamb since beating Woking 3-1 on 18 November. The Lambs have another disadvantage to overcome, as leading scorer Taiwo Atieno was sent off for violent conduct at Burton, and is therefore suspended for tomorrow's match. Atieno has scored eight goals this season. United have sold out of their ticket allocation for this game, and so Tamworth could see their season's best attendance, which currently stands at 2,151 for the visit of local rivals Burton Albion. Rage Online is cautiously optimistic after Saturday's win, and so we're going to predict a 1-0 win for the Yellows. We know, we should have learned by now.

Tomorrow's other game of significance sees third-placed York City, two points behind Oxford, visit leaders Dagenham. The question is, should Oxford want York to win, and therefore give United a slightly better chance of catching the leaders, or a Dagenham win, given that they're probably going to win the title anyway, so the more damage that can be inflicted on possible play-off rivals the better? Or maybe a draw? Fourth-placed Gravesend are involved in FA Trophy duty, visiting Northwich Victoria, while Exeter, in fifth place, host seventh-placed Burton. Stevenage Borough, who lie between the Grecians and Albion, are also playing in the FA Trophy, with a home tie against Salisbury City. Tamworth supporters will be looking out for Southport's result, as they visit Cambridge United, while Grays Athletic, who suddenly find themselves third from bottom, are without a game, playing at Welling in the FA Trophy on Sunday. The fourth team in the relegation zone, Altrincham, are also fixtureless.