A thoroughly professional performance from Oxford United saw them stroll to a 2-0 win over Stafford Rangers[@opponent]Stafford Rangers[/@opponent] this afternoon, and thereby ensure that they will finish the season in second place, and start their play-off campaign away from home on Friday 4 May. It was clear from the start that Oxford were relaxed and the crowd was enjoying the sunshine, and most of the game was played in the visitors' half. Carl Pettefer and Martin Foster both went close, and when Rob Duffy and Luke Foster combined for Fozl to show neat footwork and shoot narrowly wide, it was looking like Oxford's day. United finally made the breakthrough five minutes before the break, after Fozm was fouled in the area, but neither the referee nor the linesman had the bottle to give the decision and instead awarded the Us a free kick outside the area. From Barry Quinn's poor shot the ball rebounded to Fozl, whose shot looked goalbound, but was steered in by Chris Zebroski anyway to give United the lead at the interval.[@news]2113[/@news]

The second half was pretty much more of the same, although Guy Madjo did burst through after about eight minutes, but his shot flashed across goal and away for a throw-in, much to Billy Turley's amusement. Generally, though, United were solid at the back, with Fozl outstanding, and Michael Corcoran pulling off one absolutely superb last-ditch tackle, earning him a kiss from Turley. Although they were rarely in any danger, the game was made secure thanks to some Andy Burgess magic. He bamboozled two defenders to burst into the box along the bye-line, and his low cross was turned into his own net by Wayne Daniel on the hour mark. Going forward United still looked purposeful, although again their finishing and decision making left something to be desired. Yemi Odubade burst through, only to be denied by makeshift goalie Neil Grayson, who had already also saved well from Zebroski.

Jim Smith made four changes to the side that beat won at St Albans last weekend, although the dropping of Corcoran was not one of them. Instead, Fozl started in defence, with skipper Phil Gilchrist rested and handing over the armband to Barry Quinn. Gavin Johnson was also given some time off in lieu, with Burgess replacing him at left wing back, while Fozm started in midfield, with Danny Rose given the day off. Up front, Duffy returned from injury, with Supporters' Player of the Season Yemi on the bench. The first substitution took place at the interval, with Players' Player of the Year Quinn taken off to spare him from further embarrassing the referee, and Eddie Anaclet coming on at right wing back, with Fozl moving into central defence. With 13 minutes to go, United made a double substitution, with Johnson coming on for Pettefer, allowing Burgess to move into central midfield, and Yemi replacing Duffy.

The referee for United's final home league game of the season was Russell Fletcher, the same chap who officiated over United's best home win of the season, the 5-1 thraping of Northwich. Unfortunately, Mr Fletcher appeared to take exception to something in the Oxford air (although the sewage works appeared to be turned off this afternoon). Apart from failing to award Oxford the cast-iron penalty for Daniels' foul on Fozm, he also booked Burgess for deliberate handball when the Oxford player stopped the ball going out for a throw-in, but with no attempt at pretending he was doing anything other than conceding possession. He also booked Quinn for dissenting another questionable decision, after penalising Bazza for a fair challenge on the edge of the Stafford area. He made a large number of other bizarre decisions in the first half, but must have taken a long look at himself at the break, as he improved immeasurably after the interval. Today's attendance was 7,007, United's third best of the season, and the 14th best in Conference history. A proper match report may appear tomorrow, or shortly thereafter.

While United secured second place with these three points, Stafford are now in trouble at the other end of the table, being three points above the drop zone, but having played a game more than the teams over whom they have this advantage, and with just one game to play. In the play offs, Morecambe ensured that they'll be in the mix, being three points above sixth-placed Burton Albion, but with a vastly superior goal difference after the Shrimpers won 1-0 at Kidderminster Harriers. York City are now fourth after they won 1-0 at second-bottom Southport, although the Sandgrounders aren't relegated yet, being two points from safety with one game remaining. York are two points above Burton. If things remain as they are after next Saturday's games, then Oxford will be playing Exeter City in the play offs, as the Grecians are now fifth, level on points with Burton, after they drew 0-0 at Stevenage Borough. Borough are still in with a vague shout, being six points adrift of Exeter, but with two games still to play.

Burton did their own play-off hopes the power of good with a fine 3-0 win at Northwich Victoria. Despite this margin, though, they have the worst goal difference of any of the play-off challengers. Gravesend & Northfleet's isn't much better, and they are still one point behind Exeter despite scraping a win over relegated St Albans, beating them 3-2.

At the other end, Tamworth boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 win over Altrincham. The Lambs are third from bottom, but just one point from safety with one game left, while Alty are two places, but just one point, above the bottom four. Halifax dropped into the relegation zone after losing 2-0 at Forest Green Rovers, but they have two games to play and are level on points with 20th-placed Grays Athletic, who also have two games left after they drew 0-0 with Crawley Town, who are three points above the drop. Also on 52 points are Cambridge United, who surprisingly won 1-0 at Aldershot.

We now also know the identities of some of the teams who will be joining the Conference next season, in addition to Torquay United, already relegated from the Football League, and Histon, already promoted from the Conference South. Droylsden have now been confirmed as the champions of the Conference North. Hopefully, though, United will instead be playing Rotherham United, Brentford, and probably Chesterfield, who have all been relegated (it's only a matter of time for the Spireites) to the Fourth Division, with Hartlepool United, Walsall, and, unfortunately, Swindon Town, going in the other direction.