Oxford United ensured that they will be involved in this season's Conference play-offs after winning 2-0 at already-relegated St Albans[@opponent]St Albans City[/@opponent]. United took the lead in the 26th minute, when a long ball from Barry Quinn was flicked on to Yemi Odubade by Chris Zebroski. Paul Bastock dropped the ball after colliding with one of his defenders, and Yemi pounced on the loose ball to shoot home from a narrow angle. United had plenty of opportunities to extend their lead in the first half, but a combination of poor finishing and reluctance to shoot led to a nervous second period for United fans.

The second period was a bit of a damp squib, with little goalmouth action of any note. Many passes went astray on the bobbly pitch, and although Billy Turley didn't have a save to make, the home side did create one or two openings. The nerves weren't settled until injury time, when Matt Day burst into the area along the goal line, and Luke Foster was unmarked to head his first goal for United, and cue the start of the celebrations among United's large following.[@news]2108[/@news]

Jim Smith made a couple of changes to the side that beat Weymouth 4-1 on Monday. Day was recalled to right wingback, replacing Eddie Anaclet, while Martin Foster was replaced by Carl Pettefer. Twenty minutes into the second half, Smith made a double substitution, taking off Danny Rose and Gavin Johnson, with Andy Burgess and Luke Foster their replacements. With ten minutes to go, Marvin Robinson came of for Yemi.

Today's referee was R East, who previously took charge of United's 1-1 draw at Weymouth in August, and the Us' first league defeat of the season, at Gravesend on 18 November. He wasn't particularly good, and United won today in spite of his poor decision making, rather than because of it. He also showed yellow to Day and Michael Corcoran. The attendance was 1,713, which in itself isn't particularly notable, until one considers that 1,168 of those were in the away end. We hope to publish a match report tomorrow, although if it's too sunny we may wait until Monday.

Neither Oxford's position in second place, nor St Albans at the bottom of the table, changed because of this result. The most significant scoreline elsewhere, as far as United are concerned, was Gravesend & Northfleet's 4-0 home defeat by Southport, who move up to third from bottom. Gravesend are seventh, but are unable to catch United. Burton Albion could, in theory, after their 3-0 win over fourth-bottom Grays Athletic, being nine points behind Oxford with three games to play, but their goal difference is so much worse than Oxford's that it's not really worth contemplating, unless you're particularly paranoid. Morecambe remain third, despite losing 2-1 at Weymouth, for whom Stuart Beavon opened the scoring, to drop three points beneath Oxford, while Exeter City move up to fourth after beating sixth-bottom Cambridge United 2-0. York City occupy the final play-off place after they were held to a 0-0 draw at fifth-bottom Stafford Rangers, who are United's next opponents.

Tamworth are second from bottom after losing 3-0 at Stevenage Borough, who have a faint chance of challenging for the play offs. The Lambs are four points from safety, while Stevenage are nine points adrift of York, but with four games to play. Aldershot are now out of the play-off picture after losing 2-0 at Halifax, a result that lifts the Shaymen up to 18th. It's certainly tight at the bottom, with just four points separating Crawley Town (who lost 2-1 at Northwich Victoria) in 15th place and third-bottom Southport. Forest Green Rovers are 16th after drawing 3-3 at Woking, while Altrincham are 17th following their 4-1 defeat at champions Dagenham & Redbridge. Kidderminster Harriers won 1-0 at Rushden & Diamonds.