United finally achieved that elusive win with a 1-0 victory over the side that broke their unbeaten Conference record, Gravesend & Northfleet[@opponent]Gravesend & Northfleet[/@opponent]. A win for the visitors would have seen them overtake Oxford, but Robert Duffy's header ten minutes before half time ensured that didn't happen, and keeps the Us in the title race. Gravesend started the game stronger, and earned three corners in the first five minutes, and also got in a couple of shots, neither of which troubled Billy Turley. It took United some time to get into the game, taking them almost 25 minutes for their first attempt on goal, a Duffy header that was well over. Five minutes later a Chris Hargreaves header hit the top of the bar, as Oxford stepped up the pressure. A further five minutes on, a ball from Gavin Johnson set Danny Rose up to half-volley a cross across the Fleet area, and Duffy's header drifted wide of Lance Cronin's oustretched hand and into the net.

The second half started in a similar vein to the first, with Turley forced into an early save from Joel Ledgister. Ten minutes into the half, Yemi Odubade raced clear after a superb long pass from Barry Quinn, and Peter Hawkins brought him down as he was about to shoot. It was as clear-cut a penalty as you're likely to get, but to everyone's amazement the appeals were waved away. This could have proved a turning point in the match, but in fact that was to come five minutes later, when Hawkins smashed Duffy to the ground to receive his second yellow card. With the extra space the game opened up, and Yemi had two or three good opportunities to troubled Cronin, but his decision making let him down. Turley had to save well from Charlie MacDonald, who had been well-martialed all afternoon by Michael Corcoran, and Ledgister blasted his follow-up into the side netting. Marvin Robinson did get the ball in the net for United, but Andy Burgess had been flagged offside.[@news]2067[/@news]

Jim Smith made just two changes from the side that drew at Aldershot last Saturday. Turley returned between the sticks in place of Chris Tardif, while Quinn's return to right back enable Eddie Anaclet to return to the right of midfield, and Yemi to move up to partner Duffy, with Robinson dropping to the bench. Twenty minutes into the second half, Burgess replaced Danny Rose on the left of midfield, and just three minutes later Robinson came on for Duffy. United's final change came with ten minutes remaining, when Carl Pettefer continued his return from injury, Anaclet making way.

Today's referee was Chris Sarginson, who also took charge when United beat York 2-0 at the end of September. Generally, his decisions were pretty poor, as exemplified by his failure to award United a penalty. He did, however, not show a yellow card to any Oxford players, which was nice. Today's attendance was a disappointing 5,615, with only 205 coming from Gravesend, despite the importance of this match to both clubs, the Fleet having been unbeaten in their previous seven games. We hope to publish a match report in the near future.

Dagenham & Redbridge won 2-0 at Burton Albion, who are now eighth, to maintain their seven point lead over United, while York remain just two points behind following their 1-0 win over Weymouth, who are down to 11th place. Gravesend remain fourth, and Exeter City are still fifth following their 2-0 win over Kidderminster Harriers, who stay tenth. Morecambe stay sixth after they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Cambridge United.

Tamworth, who United visit next Saturday, remain bottom despite their excellent 2-0 win at Woking, while Altrincham have slipped to second from bottom after their 1-1 draw at Crawley. Southport's 1-0 win over Aldershot has lifted them to third from bottom, leaving the Shots in ninth place. Grays Athletic occupy the final relegation spot after they lost 2-0 at home to Stevenage Borough, who are up to seventh. Rushden & Diamonds' revival continued with a 1-0 win at St Albans, while Halifax climbed out of the relegation zone after they won 3-2 at Stafford Rangers. The day's other game saw Northwich Victoria beat Forest Green Rovers 2-0.