In a game that was reminiscent of so many of last season's disappointing home matches, United were held to a 1-1 draw by a Halifax team that could be described as scrappy, at best. Oxford looked by far the better footballing side, but a dogged defensive display by the visitors, aided by some sloppy United defending at a key moment, meant that the Us were unable to capitalise on their dominance. The first half was actually a fairly even affair, with United struggling to make any chances, while Billy Turley was called on to save smartly from Halifax's new striker John Shaw after the Oxford defence parted to allow him through.[@news]2170[/@news][@opponent]Halifax Town[/@opponent]

It was in the second half that Oxford started to stretch their opponents, and they were rewarded just six minutes after the restart. A long ball from Turley was flicked on by United's new Shaw, Paul, into the path of Rob Duffy. It was a frighteningly similar situation to the one-on-one that Duffy had missed against Exeter City in the play-off semi-final last season, but this time the big lad showed a lot more composure, and he slid the ball past Craig Mawson to give United the lead. United continued to press, and were now creating chances that they failed to convert, with Phil Trainer and Shaw both firing over from close range. Against the run of play Halifax equalised when former United loanee Andy Campbell took the game by the scruff of the net and embarked on a run, beating three United defenders before Micky Corcoran crudely bowled him over in the area. Substitute Steve Torpey just managed to squeeze the resultant penalty past Turley for the equaliser, with 15 minutes remaining. The Shaymen now started to try and run down the clock, a tactic that almost backfired when, in the final minute, Yemi Odubade was sent tumbling in the visitors' area, but penalty appeals were waved away, and United dropped two potentially vital points.

Jim Smith made three changes to the side that drew 0-0 at Stevenage Borough on Monday. Eddie Hutchinson was injured, so Danny Rose started in midfield, while there was a new striking partnership. Rob Duffy was always likely to start in place of the injured Gary Twigg, while Shaw made his debut for United, with Odubade on the bench. On 67 minutes a double substitution saw Yemi and Marvin Robinson replace Shaw and Duffy, both of whom were lacking in match fitness. With ten minutes left, Luke Foster came on for Carl Pettefer.

Today's referee was James Linington, taking charge of his first Oxford game. Unfortunately, the official failed to cover himself in glory, missing several fouls and penalising several reasonable challenges. He missed one very bad two-footed tackle on Robinson, and also a Halifax playing stamping on Robbo. He showed a yellow card to Corcoran for the foul that led to the penalty, and cautioned Alex Jeannin for his protests about the foul on Yemi that wasn't given. Today's attendance again showed a decline on last season, with just 4,926 passing through the turnstiles, 140 from Yorkshire.

The dropped points mean that Oxford have dropped one place to tenth, while the Fax are 17th. Torquay United's 2-0 win over bottom club Stafford Rangers sends them a point clear at the top of the table, three points above Oxford. Stevenage are second after they won 1-0 at Ebbsfleet United, now one place below the Us, while Cambridge drew 2-2 at Weymouth last night to go third. Jefferson Louis scored both goals for the Terras, the second netting the rebound after he missed the initial penalty, conceded by Rob Wolleaston. Aldershot have gone fourth after their 2-1 win at third-bottom Altrincham, while fifth place is occupied by Grays Athletic, 2-1 winners at fourth-bottom Droyslden.

Forest Green Rovers are just outside the play-off places after they drew 1-1 at Woking, but Salisbury City's impressive start to the season came to a juddering halt at fellow promotees Histon, where they lost 2-0. Burton Albion are eighth after they drew 1-1 at Crawley, in 19th place because of their six-point deduction (they'd be just below United, otherwise). Today's shock result came at Aggborough, where a James Constable hat-trick contributed to Kidderminster Harriers' 4-0 win against Exeter City, visitors to Oxford this Tuesday. This leaves the Grecians just one place above Oxford, and lifts Kiddy to 12th. Northwich Victoria are now second from bottom after they went down 2-1 at Farsley Celtic.