Oxford United 2 Gateshead 1

Oxford United had a lucky escape this afternoon against a spirited Gateshead side making their first visit to Oxford. After a somewhat sterile first half James Constable gave United the lead with a snap shot in the 52nd minute, but instead of pressing home their advantage United let their concentration slip and conceded a goal to Graeme Armstrong four minutes later, despite the linesman's flag being raised because Daryl Clare was in an offside position. Oxford eventually unlocked Gateshead's stubborn defence in the first minute of stoppage time, when Matt Green headed home from Constable's headed cross.

Chris Wilder made four changes to the starting line up from the side that drew 1-1 at Rushden & Diamonds on Wednesday. The enforced change saw Adam Chapman start at right-back in place of Damian Batt, who received his tenth booking of the season at Rushden and therefore serves a two-game ban. Chris Hargreaves was omitted from the side, with Lewis Chalmers starting, and Jamie Cook came in for a surprise start in place of Franny Green. In addition, Sam Deering started again, with John Grant benched. The first substitution was made 20 minutes into the second half, when Alfie Potter made his first appearance since United beat Histon on 13 February. With quarter of an hour remaining Matt Green came on for Cook, and with seven minutes left Grant replaced Rhys Day as United stepped up the pressure.

United started brightly, with Constable and Cook both looking lively, although Jake Wright's splendid last-ditch tackle on Phil Turnbull gave the Us a bit of a scare. Many in the East Stand thought Constable had given United the lead when he flashed in a shot and the netting moved, but he had shot wide and the ball rebounded into the outside of the net off the fence.Simon Clist and Day should both have done better when presented with reasonable heading opportunities, but neither could keep the ball down. The first half fizzled out with neither goalkeeper getting his gloves dirty.

United finally scored from a set-piece seven minutes after the break, when a Chalmers rocket-throw was flicked on by Day and fell at Constable's feet for the striker to smash home his 19th goal of the season (excluding his currently expunged hat-trick against Chester City). Four minutes later the scores were level after Chapman needlessly conceded a free-kick near the corner flag. Chris Swailes had a free header that Ryan Clarke did well to save, but the rebound fell to Armstrong, who shot home. Clare, in an offside position, flicked out at the ball although he didn't touch it, and the linesman raised his flag. After protests from the visiting players the referee consulted with his assistant and then awarded the goal. United took the game to Gateshead, but left themselves vulnerable to the counter attack, and the Heed should have scored on at least two occasions. First Swailes missed a header from close range, before Armstrong broke clear but pulled his shot across the face of goal. Armstrong also had a decent opportunity that he sliced horribly wide. United's winner came from another set piece, as Clist swung a free-kick into the area. Grant headed the ball goalwards, Constable headed it across the goal, and Green headed downwards into the net. It was late, it was undeserved, but it was a goal.

The win, United's first in six games, shouldn't be allowed to paper over the cracks of what was in truth an unconvincing performance. United lacked width and movement, and too many players appeared lackadaisical or unfit. Oxford found it difficult to cope with the quick closing down of the Gateshead players, who harried and chased everything. And fair play to the Heed, who continued to look for goal even after their somewhat fortunate equaliser. If Oxford play like that on Tuesday at Stevenage Borough, they will probably get tonked.

The referee was James Adcock, who took charge of United's 1-1 draw at Stevenage last season. He had a decent first half, but seemed to lose the plot in the second period, although his assistant by the South Stand didn't help him. At all. He showed yellow cards to Clist and Potter. The crowd was a reasonably respectable 5,986 with a paltry 52 faux Geordies in attendance.

The win sees Oxford remain in second place, five points behind Stevenage who won 3-0 at Crawley Town, the first two goals scored by Yemi Odubade. Gateshead are now fifth from bottom. Oxford are just ahead of Luton Town on goal difference after Luton beat Hayes & Yeading United 8-0. That's the same Hayes & Yeading who won 2-1 at the Kas three weeks ago, and who United visit on Good Friday. Rushden are fourth after Craig Farrell's goal earned them the points at AFC Wimbledon, with York City fifth after they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Tamworth.

Grays Athletic remain bottom after they lost 3-0 at Cambridge United, thanks to a Danny Crow hat-trick. Second-bottom Eastbourne Borough are 14 clear of Grays, despite losing 3-2 at Barrow, while Forest Green Rovers' 4-3 win over Altrincham lifted them out of the relegation zone. Elsewhere, Kettering Town are fifth despite being held to a 2-2 home draw by Mansfield Town, while Kidderminster Harriers went down 1-0 at home to Salisbury City. Wrexham beat Histon 3-0. [@news]2687[/@news] [@opponent]gateshead[/@opponent]