George Dugdale

More often than not in football, you get what you deserve. At the end of a promising month, Oxford United slumped to a home defeat that a lethargic performance merited. Although a Scott Rendell equaliser less than a minute after Craig Curran's early opener had given the Oxford hope of another home win, Stewart Drummond's header ultimately decided a flat match.

Chris Wilder was forced to replace the injured Harry Worley with Andy Whing at centre-back, whilst Oli Johnson's injury resulted in a recall for Dean Morgan. In the one unenforced change, Rendell started in the middle of the front three, with James Constable on the bench.

Morecambe have made life tough for home sides all season and another victim was lined up as early as the third minute as the visitors took the lead. After Ryan Clarke had palmed a corner clear, Danny Carlton's low drive was diverted home by Morecambe debutant Curran to provoke cheers from the 89 Shrimps fans in an otherwise silent Grenoble Stadium.

United were not to be behind for long, however, as an intricate passing move provided the chance for an immediate response. Peter Leven and Morgan were both involved before Asa Hall's low strike was parried by Barry Roche. Cristian Montano and Rendell converged on the loose ball, with the latter prodding under the goalkeeper's body to level the scores.

Eight minutes later Oxford could have taken the lead as Asa Hall, the midfielder who is on a fine run of goalscoring form, was denied by the outstretched leg of Roche in the Morecambe goal after good work by Liam Davis.

The brevity of this match report is not solely due to the misery of recalling an insipid performance (oh to write these reports during the game…), but also due to the fact that it was far from an entertaining spectacle for any neutrals in the ground.

Morecambe were looking neat in possession (their decision to launch every free-kick into the box dictates that they can't be branded with a 'philosophy', as seems typical nowadays), whilst Oxford were failing to build any pressure. Simple passes were not finding their mark and the sharpness that had been evident at Accrington Stanley in midweek was lacking.

A series of blocks from United defenders meant that Ryan Clarke didn't have many saves to make, but Morecambe had certainly looked the better side in the first half.

The second half was delayed in bizarre circumstances as Morecambe defender Chris McCready emptied the contents of his stomach onto the turf in front of 7,023 people, meaning that Oxford United's 'spew response squad' had to act, equipped with a vomit-proof wheelbarrow.

James Constable was introduced to the action early in the second half, with Adam Chapman being replaced as Wilder attempted to kick-start his team into action with a change to 4-4-2. The change had little impact and Curran could have doubled his tally, firing over after an imaginative free-kick routine.

Frustrated by his team's performance, Wilder made another change in the sixty-fifth minute as Mark Wilson replaced Cristian Montano. This change marked a return to a 4-3-3, allowing Leven and Hall to get closer to the front three.

None of the changes were raising Oxford from their slumber and Morecambe took their opportunity to punish the hosts with fifteen minutes left. A left-wing corner was directed to the near post where the onrushing Drummond diverted the ball past Clarke.

It could have all been over moments later as Gary McDonald's drive was brilliantly blocked by the United stopper, but Oxford rarely looked like pulling level. Hall was denied by a fine Roache save and Wilson volleyed harmlessly over the crossbar before referee Andrew Madley brought play to a close.

Morecambe were fully deserving of their three points and this kind of performance can not be repeated if Oxford are to realise their aspirations.

Mr Madley has already refereed Oxford United once this season and has achieved the impressive feat of not giving Rage Online any real reason to dislike him over the course of the 180 minutes. The odd baffling decision or frustrating level of attention to detail fulfils refereeing criteria and in the majority of instances, he uses common sense. Refreshingly, the yellow card made no appearances.

Leaders Swindon dropped points in a goalless home draw with Bristol Rovers, whilst Torquay United's 1-0 Friday night win at Barnet moved them clear in second. Crawley Town drew 0-0 with Burton Albion, whilst Shrewsbury failed to capitalise with a 1-1 home draw with Aldershot Town. In the big Friday game, Southend beat 10 man Cheltenham Town 4-0, meaning that Oxford remain in sixth place, five points behind Paul Sturrock's team. Crewe Alexandra drew 1-1 with Northampton Town, whilst Gillingham beat relegation strugglers Macclesfield 2-0.

At the bottom, Hereford United look to be in deep trouble after a 1-0 defeat in Rotherham, remaining four points adrift of safety. Plymouth moved further clear of the drop zone with a 1-0 win over Bradford, whilst Dagenham moved up to nineteenth after a 1-0 win at Port Vale.