For the second time in eight days Rochdale beat United thanks to a last minute goal. This time Oxford failed to clear a corner properly, and a shot came back off the post, hit goalie Chris Tardif, and went in for the cruellest of own goals. This in itself was disappointing enough, but the really upsetting thing was the way that, in Darren Patterson’s first game in charge as caretaker manager, the Oxford players just didn’t look up for the challenge. United only had one corner in the first half, and only two shots on target all game, the first a scuffed effort from Steve Basham, the second a hopeful effort from Jamie Brooks, neither of which particularly troubled Matt Gilks.

Patterson didn’t make too many changes to the side which, under Graham Rix, lost in the FA Cup at Rochdale last weekend. One enforced change was due to the absence through illness of Tommy Mooney, meaning Basham and Lee Bradbury played up front, with Mark E’Beyer wide on the left, and Chris Hackett wide right. Paul Wanless, wearing the captain’s armband for the first time, joined Barry Quinn in central midfield. One surprising omission was the absence of Dave Mackey, with Sam Togwell, playing the last game of his loan spell, at right back. Jon Ashton returned to the back line after missing the away game at Dale through suspension, alongside Leo Roget, with Matt Robinson at left back. With an hour gone Brooks came on for his first home game since 20 April, 2002, following his life-threatening illness and subsequent recuperation. E’Beyer was the player to make way. After Dale’s last minute winner Craig Davies replaced Hackett, but it was too late for the youngster to have any influence.

The referee today was Lee Probert, last seen at the KasStad in last season’s LDV defeat by Rushden. He booked three players, all from Rochdale. The attendance was just 4,204, less than 4,000 of whom were home supporters. We’ll publish a match report tomorrow. Probably.

The defeat hasn’t affected United’s position of 21st in the table, but only by virtue of the fact that there was a four point gap between Oxford and Shrewsbury. There isn’t any more because the Shrews beat former leaders Swansea City 2-0, partly due to Swansea having two players sent off, one of whom was former United loanee Gary Monk (Sam Ricketts was also booked). Swansea are now second. Oxford are also now just three points above the relegation zone, as Cambridge United beat Rushden, now 19th, 3-1. Thankfully Kidderminster seem to have already claimed one of the relegation places, their 2-1 defeat at Grimsby, for whom Gavin Gordon scored the first goal, leaving Kiddy four points adrift at the bottom. Immediately above Oxford are Notts County, who lost 1-0 at Bury.

Scunthorpe are the division’s new leaders, thanks to their 3-0 win at Bristol Rovers, while Yeovil’s 3-1 win over Southend sends them third. This leaves Southend seventh and Rovers 11th. Orient’s 2-1 home defeat by Wycombe leaves the Os fourth, with Lincoln going 5th after winning 3-0 at Darlington. Cheltenham somehow find themselves in sixth place after winning 2-0 at 8th-placed Macclesfield. Boston and Mansfield drew 0-0. United’s next opponents, Chester, drew 1-1 with Northampton last night

In the SPL Richie Foran’s penalty was enough to give Motherwell all three points at Hearts. In the Nationwide North Norman Sylla scored the winner in Redditch’s 2-1 win over Harrogate, and Roy Hunter scored Hucknall’s first as they beat Stafford Rangers 2-1. In the Nationwide South Lee Jarman scored a consolation for Weston-Super-Mare in their 3-1 defeat at Thurrock. In the Conference Simon King gave leaders Barnet the lead, and they eventually beat Accrington Stanley (who?) 3-0. Rob Quinn scored Stevenage Borough’s third in their 4-2 win over Scarborough.