For the third time in four games United lost 2-1, and in all three defeats the Us were a goal ahead. Today, Grimsby were the victors, and Lucas Cominelli gave Oxford the lead with a long-range strike in the 34th minute; his first Oxford goal. His shot was the first time either side even vaguely threatened to score, but United could have had a couple more within a few minutes. As it was, the visitors were level within a minute of the second half starting, as Dave Mackay lost possession to Andy Parkinson, and his cross was converted by Matty Harrold’s looping header. Harrold only joined the Mariners yesterday, on loan from Brentford. With 22 minutes to go, United fell behind. Tommy Mooney was forced off the ball in the middle of the Grimsby half, and while United waited for the referee’s whistle Parkinson broke clear and beat Chris Tardif for the winner. In the final few minutes Mooney hit the post, when perhaps he could have done better, but Oxford threatened too little, and not convincingly enough.

Both players who missed the Cambridge game last week were back in the side today. Mateo Corbo replaced Leo Roget in the centre of defence, and Matt Robinson was left back, instead of Dave Woozley. In addition, Horacio Rodriguez replaced the suspended Lee Bradbury with Cominelli. Immediately before Grimsby’s second goal Craig Davies came on for Steve Basham, and with eight minutes left Paul Wanless came on for Mackay as Oxford looked for the winner. In the final minute Ramon’s son, Emiliano Diaz, came on for his Oxford debut, in place of his compatriot Juan Pablo Raponi, who was making his first home appearance.

In the first period, referee Jarnail Singh let the game flow, although he was forced, correctly, to show Mackay a yellow card, his fifth of the season meaning that he will miss the trip to Mansfield. In the second period he made more controversial decisions, including the one that led to Grimsby’s winner, and also booked Cominelli for a nothing tackle. This is Singh’s first season on the League list, and consequently his first time in charge of an Oxford game. Today’s attendance was 5,625. We may publish a match report tomorrow, if anyone volunteers to write one.

The defeat sees United slip down one place to 17th, below Bristol Rovers, who drew 0-0 at home to Rochdale, on goal difference. Grimsby have climbed three places to 12th. Cambridge have slipped back to the bottom of the league after losing 2-1 at Bury, despite being a goal up at half-time. Kidderminster’s 1-0 win at Cheltenham takes them back above Cambridge, but they are still four points from safety, despite Rushden losing 1-0 at 2nd-placed Scunthorpe. Chester are fourth from bottom, although nine points above the drop zone, after their 2-2 draw against third-placed Southend.

Yeovil stay six points clear of Scunny at the top, after beating Orient 1-0. Macclesfield stay in fourth, despite Brian Horton feeling the Manager of the Month curse as they went down 1-0 at Northampton, who have climbed up to sixth. Swansea’s 1-0 defeat at Notts County has seen them slip to 5th place, while Lincoln are 7th after losing 3-2 at home to Wycombe, for whom Nathan Tyson scored a first half hat-trick. Darlington are 8th after they beat Boston 1-0. The day’s other game was a 1-1 draw between United’s next opponents, Mansfield in 14th place, and Shrewsbury.