On the up?

United beat Bournemouth 1-0 at the Manor today, thanks to a 32nd minute deflected shot from Derek Lilley. The only change in United's line-up from their defeat at Cambridge was debutant Eddie Newton coming into midfield in place of Simon Weatherstone, although Phil Whelan had to go off in the first half with a bloody nose to be replaced by Steve Davis. Second half substitutions saw Nigel Jemson coming on for Jamie Cook and Weatherstone replacing Steve Anthrobus, who had received a knock. Newton and Anthrobus were both booked for some reason by referee Michael Ryan. Check out this match report.

This result once more lifted United out of the relegation zone as all our rivals failed to pick up points with the exception of Blackpool, who could only draw 0-0 with Preston. Oxford leapfrogged both Cambridge, who lost 1-0 at Oldham, and Cardiff, who went down 2-1 at home to Burnley. Scunthorpe also lost, 3-0 at Bury, whilst bottom club Chesterfield went down 1-0 at Gillingham. Oxford are now two places and three points above the relegation places and now, thanks to Scunthorpe's heavy defeat, no longer have the worst goal difference in the division. Cambridge and Cardiff both have played a game less than Oxford, which they will play on Tuesday (Cardiff travel to Gillingham and Cambridge play host to Bury).

Other notable goalscorers

Former United reserve player Matthew Taylor scored Luton's third in their 3-2 victory over Colchester. Marco Gabbiadini, of course, scored Darlington's opener in their 2-2 draw with Rotherham. Craig Russell has managed to do on his debut for St. Johnstone what he failed to do in six appearances for United, scoring the opening goal in their 2-1 defeat at Motherwell.

And one more thing…

Rage Online can exclusively reveal that the close-season will see some new faces at the Manor as chairman Firoz Kassam is using his past links to import two Tanzanian internationals. The players are right back Phil Fula and left back Olaf Pirol, both of whom will be free transfers. We understand that manager Denis Smith is unaware of this development.