United went up to Gigg Lane and had their best gig of the season, smashing four goals past Andy Preece’s dispirited Bury side. Dean Whitehead scored United’s first after half an hour with a half-volley from the edge of the area, and United continued to dominate the remainder of the first half, although they should have increased their lead from James Hunt and also Jefferson Louis. Paul Wanless also hit the bar before Whitehead scored his second of the match for the first time with around twenty minutes to go. As Bury pressed forward United hit them with two sucker-punches, Steve Basham scoring twice in two minutes in the last ten minutes, the first a header from a Whitehead free-kick and the second following up a Louis shot that Glyn Garner could only parry.

As anticipated Ian Atkins reverted to the midfield line-up that now seems to be his favoured formation, with Deano, Wanless and James Hunt coming back in for Derek Townsley, Dave Waterman and Danny Brown who had played against Rushden on Wednesday. Up front Bash reclaimed his place from ROS Chris Hackett, who replaced him with three minutes remaining. In the final minute Waterman came on for Hunt and Whitehead was replaced by Paul McCarthy.

Referee Alan Kaye produced three yellow cards, but as none of them were for Oxford players we don’t really mind. The attendance was a paltry 2,930, the lowest in the League today. A match report should appear online either later today or sometime tomorrow.

This emphatic victory takes United back up to second in the division, while Bury slip to 17th. Hull stayed top, but are now only two points clear of Oxford after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Torquay, who are now eighth. Swansea stay third after they were held to a goalless draw by Kidderminster at the Vetch. Kiddy went up one place to third from bottom. Mansfield, who were second, drop down to fourth after being trounced 4-2 at Doncaster, who stay fifth. Yeovil move up to sixth place after beating Darlington 1-0, while Huddersfield have dropped to seventh after going down 3-1 at Lincoln.

Carlisle remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just five points from a possible 42 after their latest defeat 1-0 at home to Macclesfield. Southend have dropped to second from bottom after they lost 2-1 at home to Orient, who are now 15th. Boston have climbed up to fourth from bottom after they drew 1-1 at United’s next opponents, York City. Simon Weatherstone scored the Pilgrims’ equaliser. Cheltenham have dropped to sixth from bottom after they lost 2-0 at home to Rochdale, while Bristol Rovers went down 2-0 at home to Cambridge United.

Former United players who were amongst today’s scorers include Gavin Gordon, who struck Cardiff’s second in their 3-1 win at Coventry, and Derek Lilley, who scored both of Livingston’s goals in their 2-0 win at Hibs. Manny Omoyinmi marked his return on loan to Margate with the only goal as they won at Scarborough. Two ex-Us were also very naughty: the formerly ROS Jamie Cook was sent off as Stevenage lost 3-1 at Forest Green Rovers, and Neil McGowan also saw red for Airdrie during their 2-0 win over Stenhousemuir.