United achieved their first away win of the season, indeed their first away win of the calendar year, at Meadow Lane this afternoon, to ensure maximum points from the bank holiday weekend and generally spread an aura of happiness and well-being throughout the land of Oxfordshire. Lee Bradbury scored his second goal on consecutive games when he converted a 16th minute penalty after Ian Richardson handled in the box. The Us continued to dominate the first half and, although Notts County had the better of the play after the break, they didn’t seriously trouble Chris Tardif until the closing stages of the game, while Oxford continued to create chances at the other end.

Graham Rix made one change from the side which beat Shrewsbury on Saturday, Danny Brown allegedly being ill so up stepped Terry Parker in his stead. Parker actually started the game at left back, with Matt Robinson pushing up into the left wing position. Young left-wing prodigy Tom Winters was unable to capitalise on his fine display in the second half on Saturday because he turned his ankle towards the end of that match. In the 57th minute young striker Craig Davies was brought on for his United debut after Bradbury received a knock, and with 20 minutes to go Paul Wanless replaced a disappointing Rob Wolleaston to strengthen the midfield.

The referee was Mark Warren, taking charge of his first game of the season. He last took charge of an Oxford game in United’s 3-0 Boxing Day win over Bournemouth in 2002. For the second game in a row no Oxford players received a yellow card. The attendance was 5,288 which was the second best in the division today. We have been promised a match report which we hope to publish tomorrow.

Despite these three points United remain in sixth place, three points behind new leaders Scunthorpe, who beat Northampton 2-0, the second goal an Andy Crosby penalty. Bristol Rovers have dropped to second after being held to a 0-0 draw at Rushden, while United’s opponents on Friday, Wycombe Wanderers, beat Grimsby 2-0 at Adams Park. Fourth-placed Bury thrashed fourth-bottom Kidderminster 4-0 at Gigg Lane, but Macclesfield have dropped to fifth after going down 2-1 at Southend. Swansea have moved up to seventh after former United triallist Izzy Iriekpen scored the only goal to beat third-bottom Lincoln 1-0.

Chester remain rooted to the foot of the table after losing 3-1 at Boston, for whom Courtney Pitt, no less, scored a penalty. Lee Steele scored Orient’s opener in their 2-1 win over Rochdale, while Mansfield thrashed Yeovil 4-1 at Field Mill. The other game was a 1-1 draw between Darlington and Cambridge. Shrewsbury host Cheltenham tomorrow.

In the Conference, Jefferson Louis scored his second in successive games with a last-minute strike for Gravesend, to complete their 5-1 rout at Forest Green Rovers and take the Fleet up to third. In the Nationwide South, Peter Fear scored for Sutton United in their 4-2 win at Newport County.