United maintained their unbeaten league run, now stretching to seven games, but will be regretting being held to a goalless draw by a poor, but resolute, Rushden & Diamonds side. This was a poor game, characterised by United’s first shot on target coming from Rob Wolleaston in first half injury time, and Rushden’s first corner being midway through the second half. United had by far the better of possession, and in the second half created some decent opportunities, with Steve Basham and Tommy Mooney both denied by diving saves from Billy Turley. Basham did actually get the ball in the net following a Tom Winters corner 12 minutes from time, but the goal was harshly disallowed for a Mooney push on Turley. On a blustery day, with a whistle-happy referee, neither side was able to get going and a draw was probably the inevitable, and fair, result.

Graham Rix made only one change from the side that drew at Wycombe last Friday, bringing in Lee Molyneaux for the injured Leo Roget. With Lee Bradbury also out injured, Mooney was awarded the captaincy for the day. The first change was made just before the hour mark, when Winters came on for Matt Robinson. With just under 20 minutes left Julian Alsop was replaced by Craig Davies, and with two minutes to go David Woozley, out injured since pre-season, came on for Molyneaux for his first appearance in an Oxford shirt.

The referee was Russell Booth and he was, frankly, terrible. He failed to let the game flow, blowing his whistle for every perceived contact, never playing advantage, and generally being picky and overly fussy. He showed yellow cards to Jamie Hand, who deserved his booking for a very late tackle on Gary Mills, Alsop, and Mooney. The attendance was indicative of this season’s declining crowds at Oxford, with just 4,756 condescending to turn up. A match report will most likely be published tomorrow (if anyone wishes to submit one, please use the form on the Contact page).

United have dropped to ninth in the division as a result of dropping these two points, while Rushden are now 15th. Wycombe have taken over at the top after winning 2-1 at Southend, now 7th from bottom, with Scunthorpe dropping to second after going down 2-1 at home to Chester, now 20th. Phil Bolland scored Chester’s second. Orient have gone third thanks to their 4-2 win over now 4th Bristol Rovers. Lee Steele scored Orient’s second. Macclesfield came from a goal down to beat Grimsby 3-1 and go fifth, with the Grims dropping to fourth-bottom, while United’s next opponents, sixth-placed Yeovil, drew 1-1 at Cheltenham.

Kidderminster Harriers have dropped to the bottom after losing 3-0 at Swansea, who have gone one place above United, and Notts County are also in the relegation zone after drawing 0-0 at Northampton. Cambridge United are third from bottom after holding seventh-placed Mansfield to a 2-2 draw at the Abbey. In the Lincs derby, Boston came from two down to draw 2-2 with two goals in the last five minutes at Sincil Bank. Boston’s revival was sparked by a Courtney Pitt penalty. Rochdale and Darlington drew 1-1, and Shrewsbury and Bury drew 2-2.

In League One Bournemouth lost 3-1 at home to Colchester, the Cherries’ consolation being a Sam Stockley own goal. In the Nationwide North Norman Sylla hit the goal trail again. He scored four last week against Vauxhall Motors, and today he scored a hat-trick in Redditch’s 5-1 win at Barrow. Howard Forinton was another hat-trick scorer as his goals enabled Banbury to win 4-2 at Hemel Hempstead Town. Joey Beauchamp scored both Abingdon Town goals as they beat Horsham YMCA 2-0 in the FA Vase. In the Nationwide South, Mark McGregor scored Weston-Super-Mare’s winner as they beat Maidenhead United 2-1.