After going for ten home league games unbeaten since March, United suffered their second consecutive reverse at the KasStad this afternoon, as Lincoln ran out deserved 1-0 winners. The Red Imps had four goals disallowed, two for offside, two for fouls on Chris Tardif, before Francis Green eventually put them ahead on the stroke of half-time. In the second half Lincoln hit the bar twice as the Us never got into their stride and struggled to create any decent chances. Leo Roget forced Alan Marriott into his only meaningful save with a powerful header, but a United equaliser would have been rough justice on Lincoln, who had three pacey forwards, but were really only an average bottom division side. The omens don’t look good for the Us.

Graham Rix made one change from the side that lost to Darlington last Sunday. Lee Bradbury was dropped to the bench after a series of lacklustre performances, to be replaced by Rob Wolleaston. Wolly played wide on the left, with Steve Basham partnering Tommy Mooney up front. At half-time Wolleaston, who had failed to make an impression, gave way to allow Mark Rawle his first appearance of the season. On the hour Barry Quinn came on for Paul Wanless, who had suffered an injury.

The referee was Mike Thorpe, who last refereed an Oxford match in the goalless draw against Bristol Rovers, almost a year ago. He had a reasonable game, but booked Roget for a foul towards the end. The attendance continued the trend of decline, being the lowest yet at the KasStad for a league fixture, just 4,089 spread around the ground. A match report has been promised to us, which we hope to publish tomorrow.

This defeat sees United drop another couple of places, to 17th in the basement, Lincoln having leapfrogged Oxford up to 14th. The new leaders are Leyton Orient, whose 4-2 win over Shrewsbury featured braces from both Lee Steele and Andy Scott. Shrewsbury dropped to the bottom thanks to Kidderminster’s 3-2 win over Scunthorpe, who are now third. Former leaders Swansea dropped to second place after going down 4-2 at Southend, who have risen to ninth. Mansfield are fourth after beating Notts County 3-1. Fourth-bottom County’s goal was scored by Gavin Gordon.

Yeovil have dropped to fifth place after losing 2-1 at home to Macclesfield, now just one place below them, while Boston have risen to seventh thanks to their 2-0 win over Wycombe, now down to 11th. Bristol Rovers drew 0-0 at Grimsby, and Bury won 2-1 at Darlington. Cheltenham are just one place below Oxford following their 2-1 win at Rochdale, and Chester are one further place down after they won 1-0 at Rushden. Northampton, United’s next opponents, this Tuesday, won 1-0 at Cambridge on Friday night, to leave the other Us third from bottom.

In League One, or whatever it’s called, Dean Windass scored Bradford’s third in their amazing 5-4 win at Tranmere. In the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round Hinckley United beat Mossley 6-1. One of Hinckley’s goals was scored by Wayne Dyer, while Mossley’s consolation came from Leon Mike. Martin Thomas scored a penalty for Eastleigh, who managed to draw 3-3 at Tiverton. Simon Weatherstone scored one of Hornchurch’s goals as they beat Dulwich Hamlet 9-0. Josias Carbon was on target for Slough in their 4-0 win over Cheshunt.