Despite a desperate attempt by Shrewsbury to score a goal contrary to the unwritten rules of sportsmanship, United ran out 2-0 winners over one of the worst sides to have visited the new stadium. The two goals came at the start of either half, with Lee Bradbury breaking his Oxford duck three minutes into the game when he latched onto a Steve Basham through-ball, touched it wide of Scott Howie in goal, and finished from an angle. Three minutes into the second half substitute Tom Winters dinked a delightful cross into the six-yard box for Tommy Mooney to stoop and head his third goal of the season. United’s defence stood firm and protected Chris Tardif well, although Shrewsbury were awarded a penalty in the last minute of normal time, allegedly for a foul by Lee Molyneaux. Justice was done when Colin Cramb blasted the kick against the bar and the danger was cleared.

Graham Rix made just one change to the side which started against Reading in midweek, bringing in loanee Jamie Hand in place of Paul Wanless. At half-time Winters came on for Danny Brown, who seemed several yards off the pace. With three minutes to go Molyneaux replaced Leo Roget at the back.

Today’s referee was L Cable who, last season, took charge of United’s home win over Torquay and their draw at Bristol Rovers. He had a (relatively) reasonable game, and didn’t show any cards to United players. The attendance was just 4,430, the lowest crowd since United moved to the KasStad. A match report may well appear tomorrow.

This win lifts United up to sixth place, although the league table are really pretty meaningless at this stage of the season. Shrewsbury find themselves third from bottom. Bristol Rovers are top of the table with 13 points after they beat second-bottom Southend 2-1 last night, with James Hunt scoring the late winner. Scunthorpe are second, after drawing 2-2 at third placed Macclesfield. Yeovil are now fourth following their 3-1 win over 12th placed Rushden, and Wycombe have gone fifth after winning 2-0 at fifth-bottom Kidderminster. Bury occupy the final play-off place after they won 3-0 at Rochdale.

Eighth placed Northampton were held 2-2 at home by Leyton Orient, while Grimsby moved to ninth after beating Mansfield 2-0. Darlington won 3-0 at bottom club Chester, and Cheltenham beat Boston 1-0. Swansea won 1-0 at Cambridge.

In league one Dean Windass was, yet again, on the goal trail, scoring both Bradford City’s goals to put them 2-0 up in their 3-2 home defeat by Chesterfield. In the Conference both Manny Omoyinmi and Jefferson Louis hit a goal apiece in Gravesend’s 4-0 thrashing of York. Louis joined the Fleet on a one month loan deal yesterday, and was also instrumental in setting up Omoyinmi for his goal. In the Nationwide North, Norman Sylla scored on his debut for Redditch to earn them a 1-1 draw at Southport.

Oxford have been drawn to play Exeter City at the KasStad in the first round of the LDV Vans Trophy. The game is due to be played on Wednesday 29 September.