George Dugdale

Oxford United 1 Crawley Town 1

Oxford United were denied victory over league leaders Crawley as Tyrone Barnett's last minute strike cancelled out former Red Devil Jon-Paul Pittman's opener.

The home side started brightly as the United faithful got behind their side, greatly aided by the presence of the ever-provocative Steve Evans in the visitor's dug-out. Liam Davis was able to find plenty of space on the left-flank and played a part in winning a number of early corners. From one of these, Asa Hall flicked goalwards, only to be denied by a crowd of Crawley bodies in the six-yard box.

At the other end, John Akinde was setting his personal tone for the afternoon, first firing straight at Ryan Clarke, before lobbing wide of the Oxford goal after evading Michael Duberry.

The game was becoming increasingly fractured as the referee dealt with a number of late challenges. Dean Howell and Sergio Torres found their way into the notebook, much to the irritation of Evans, before the referee booked Damian Batt for a soft foul. I assume this is the officiating equivalent of a peace offering.

A swift counter-attack presented Oxford with their best opportunity of the first half on the half hour mark. Tom Craddock did well to maintain possession as support arrived, before Peter Leven adjusted his body well to test Scott Shearer with a low left-footed effort.

Despite the host's bright start, Crawley were growing into the game and were very quick to any loose balls in the midfield as Oxford struggled to maintain possession.

The second half began with Crawley on the front foot once more and they almost took the lead through a spectacular piece of ingenuity from Sergio Torres. Although he possesses the same surname as a certain misfiring Premier League striker, the similarities end there. The Argentine is having a splendid season and impressed the 9,004 fans in the ground with an overhead kick from the edge of the box which Ryan Clarke smartly tipped over the bar.

Jon-Paul Pittman's work ethic was cited as a possible reason for the striker's loan exit earlier in the season, but his endeavour paid dividends moments after he had replaced the out of sorts Tom Craddock. There appeared to be no threat as Howell returned the ball to his goalkeeper, but Pittman charged down Shearer's kick before slotting home from the angle. The striker's celebrations were relaxed as a mark of respect to his former employers, but Pittman must have been thrilled at his first Oxford United goal.

Crawley continued to dominate possession of the ball as United began to sit deep in order to defend the lead. However, Jake Wright and the formidable Michael Duberry worked hard to limit the exposure to Clarke's goal, with Andy Whing shielding the back four effectively as Crawley switched to aerial bombardment. When United could clear their lines, there was always the opportunity for a counter-attack and Alfie Potter could have done better after turning Howell inside out on the edge of the area.

Following a first-half booking, Akinde was having a day to forget and his day was worsened by a fine Clarke save after a low centre from David Hunt. At the other end, James Constable was denied by a full-length dive by Shearer when his shot looked destined for the top corner.

Evans sent centre-half Claude Davis forward for the final five minutes and it was from his flick that Crawley found their equaliser in the last minute of normal time. Batt was caught under the ball as the big defender flicked a long ball forward, allowing Barnett the time and space he needed to thump high into the roof of the Oxford net.

The timing of the equaliser means that the result feels like two points dropped for United, but victory would have been unmerited on the balance of play. Naturally, the game was not as one-sided as Evans has been quick to claim, but United were made to pay for not killing the game. The ball retention left a great deal to be desired and when there were opportunities on the break, the decision making was often flawed. However, the test United provided for a side who will have to falter considerably to miss out on promotion gives reason for encouragement as Chris Wilder's side head into a period of 'winnable' fixtures. If Oxford are to make a move this season, the next two months will be crucial.

Chris Wilder had made three changes to the starting line-up. Whing returned from suspension, but was deployed in a holding midfield role after Duberry's return to fitness. The injured Deane Smalley was replaced by Constable, as Davis also returned to form a familiar back four.

The fixture was refereed by Brendan Malone. Malone will be familiar to United fans after refereeing a number of fixtures in previous seasons, including a 1-0 victory over Crawley Town in 2007.

Malone made his own life difficult by booking Batt for a soft foul and angered both sides by failing to produce second yellow cards for Torres and the Oxford full-back, despite their second fouls being considerably worse than their initial offences. However, we are quick to ask for consistency so Malone should be applauded for that, even if he is from Wiltshire.

The points leaves Oxford in 8th place in the table, two points outside the play-offs. Cheltenham maintain second place after a 2-1 away win at Port Vale, whilst Southend were held to a draw at home to Dagenham & Redbridge. Swindon closed the gap on the automatic promotion places after two second half goals saw off AFC Wimbledon, whilst fellow play-off occupiers Gillingham defeated Aldershot 1-0. However, Shrewsbury dropped points at home to Northampton, whilst Burton Albion suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to lowly Hereford. That victory lifted them four points clear of the drop zone, which is still occupied by Northampton Town and Plymouth Argyle.