Rushden Savaged

United consolidated their position in the play-off zone this afternoon with an emphatic win over second placed Rushden & Diamonds at the KasStad. The teams went in goalless at the break, with the visitors probably having had the better of the possession up til then but with neither side having created many chances. Oxford came out for the second half in a more positive frame of mind and after just six minutes a foul on Steve Basham won United a penalty, coolly converted by Andy Crosby. Surprisingly United didn't sit back on their lead but continued to apply pressure, with Roy Hunter hitting the bar and then being fouled even more blatantly than Basham had been, but a second penalty was not forthcoming. Six minutes from time excellent work by Matt Robinson led to a deep cross which Dave Savage headed home, and just three minutes later Savage scored his second, this time the Rushden defence failed to deal with an Andy Scott cross and Savo passed the ball into the net.

Ian Atkins made two changes from the side which lost at Southend, both enforced ones. Christian Edwards came into the side for Dave Waterman, who suffered an injury in training yesterday, and in midfield Hunter came in for Bobby Ford, who was suffering from a virus. Jefferson Louis was a last minute substitute for Scott.

Referee P Crossley took charge of a United game for the first time this season, and celebrated by showing Crosby the yellow card for a clash with Onandi Lowe, who was also booked. Scott McNiven was booked in the second half for a late challenge. The attendance of 6,508 was the day's second highest in the Division. A match report can be found here.

Despite this win United remain sixth in the table, just two points off third spot, and Rushden remain second, six points behind the leaders Hartlepool, who were held 0-0 at Cambridge. Scunthorpe move up to third after beating Southend 4-1, and Torquay went fourth thanks to a 3-1 win over Darlington. Bury drop to fifth after going down 3-2 at Kidderminster, United's next opponents on Tuesday. If Oxford win that game they will go third. The final play-off place is now occupied by York City, who celebrated news of their survival with a 0-0 draw at Hull, in front of a crowd of over 18,000. Lincoln remain 8th after losing 2-0 at bottom club Swansea.

Second bottom Carlisle also won, beating Leyton Orient 3-0, to move above Boston, who drew 0-0 with Bristol Rovers. Exeter and Macclesfield shared the points at Moss Rose after a 1-1 draw. In the FA Cup Rochdale beat Coventry 2-0. United midfielder Sam Ricketts scored for Nuneaton Borough as they drew 1-1 with Conference leaders Yeovil.