Twenty-one years ago today Oxford United bestrode the Wembley turf to crown the greatest achievement in the club's history (other than, arguably, achieving league status in 1962). United now have the chance for a return trip, in one of the first games that the rebuilt national stadium will be hosting, in the Conference play-off final, in exactly one month's time. United's place in the play-offs is certain, barring a bizarre sequence of results in the final two games, so now the team needs to ensure that they go into the semi-finals with a head of steam built up, starting tomorrow when the Us entertain Stafford Rangers[@opponent]Stafford Rangers[/@opponent] in Oxford's final scheduled home game of the season. United have won their last two games, against Weymouth and St Albans, and now have the chance to do the double over Rangers[@connection]Stafford Rangers[/@connection], for whom David Oldfield is assistant manager, having won 1-0 at Marston Road in September, thanks to a moment of genius from much maligned leading scorer, Rob Duffy.[@report]271[/@report]

Jim Smith has already intimated that there will be changes to the side that won 2-0 at St Albans last Saturday, with centre-back Michael Corcoran likely to make way for Luke Foster, as Corcoran will not be available for the play offs. In addition, captain Phil Gilchrist is still carrying a knock that has limited his performances recently, and he could be rested, with Matt Day taking his place. In midfield there is a lot more choice, and with Eddie Hutchinson almost recovered from his foot injury then United has almost an embarrassment of riches in this department, especially with Chris Hargreaves and Carl Pettefer both rediscovering their earlier good form. Up front, too, there is plenty of competition for places, with Duffy likely to be back in the frame after his recent injury, and with United having been goal-shy in recent matches (the four scored against Weymouth highlighting the lack of goals from the front men, ironically) it will be interesting to see what combination Smith chooses, as a win tomorrow will guarantee second place for United, and a home game in the play-off semi-final second leg.

Stafford, despite lying in 15th place, are still in danger of relegation, being just four points above fourth-bottom Grays Athletic, who have played a game less. They beat Northwich Victoria 2-0 on Tuesday, and last Saturday they held fifth-placed York City to a goalless draw, which was good of them. Their last away win was at Altrincham, on 27 March. Rage Online is getting carried away with the play-off excitement, and is feeling stupidly optimistic (you'd have thought we'd have learned by now). We're predicting a 1-0 win for the Yellows.

Burton Albion are the only side who might be able to knock United out of the play offs, and they visit Northwich tomorrow. Oxford's rivals in the play offs are almost all away from home, with Morecambe visiting Kidderminster Harriers, Exeter City travelling to Stevenage Borough (who are still in with an outside shout of making the top five), and York away at third-bottom Southport, who have had an excellent run of results recently to lift themselves off the bottom and give themselves a fighting chance of staying up. The only other side with a chance of promotion are Gravesend & Northfleet. They beat Northwich 3-0 last night, and tomorrow they host bottom side St Albans, which will make for a nervous time for York and Exeter fans.