United’s season finally petered out in the bright Cheshire sunshine, as they went down 2-1 at Macclesfield. Ironically, given United’s recent difficulty in finding the net, all three goals were scored by Oxford players. The deadlock was broken after 17 minutes when Jon Ashton powered a header past the unfortunate Simon Cox from a Paul Harsley corner. After 36 minutes United found themselves level after a Scott McNiven throw-in was headed on by Jefferson Louis. The ball fell to James Hunt, 20 yards out, who struck a perfect half-volley to leave Steve Wilson stranded. The Us’ joy was shortlived though, as just eight minutes later, on the stroke of half-time, Macclesfield went ahead again. From another set-piece the ball bobbled around the Oxford penalty area, with no-one taking control to clear it despite several opportunities. Matthew Tipton struck a shot from the edge of the area, which hit a couple of Oxford players before Louis stuck out a foot and lifted the ball over Cox, who didn’t have a chance. Despite Oxford’s second-half possession they never really looked like getting back in the game, and had the woodwork and Cox to thank for not falling further behind.

Graham Rix once again made several changes to United’s starting line-up, as a result of injuries, suspensions, and an apparent desire to experiment. Cox replaced Andy Woodman in goal, and McNiven returned to his right-back position. Jon Ashton took over from the suspended Andy Crosby in the centre of defence and Danny Brown took over at left back. Chris Hackett and Courtney Pitt both started the game, despite Rix’s comments at last night’s Fans’ Forum that he had made a mistake in bringing in Pitt. Dean Whitehead took over the captain’s armband from Crosby, a gesture that hopefully signifies that Whitehead will have a future in the side. Up front Louis and Lee Steele were the preferred striking partnership. At half-time Hackett was replaced by Barry Quinn, making his first appearance since Rix’s arrival, and on 65 minutes Rix made a double substitution. Pitt was replaced by Manny Omoyinmi, and Mark Rawle came on for Steele.

The referee was M. Atkinson, who was also in charge of United’s 3-0 win over Swansea back in August, when we were good. He kindly refrained from adding to United’s yellow card tally, but he also refrained from awarding several blatant free-kicks (for both sides). The attendance was a paltry 2,763. We might post a match report tomorrow, if we can be bothered.

The significance of this result is that United cannot now make the play-offs, completing the parallel to the 1994/95 season. It also guaranteed Macclesfield’s survival for third division football, meaning that we have to endure their sub-Conference facilities once more next season. This leaves United four points behind seventh-placed Northampton, who beat Bury 3-2, and three points adrift of Yeovil, who lost 2-1 at home to Hull, a result that ensured Hull’s promotion. Doncaster sealed the divisional championship thanks to a 0-0 draw at Boston. Huddersfield will have to wait to seal promotion, as they were beaten 3-1 at home by Mansfield, who went up to fifth. Torquay are just two points behind Huddersfield after they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Kidderminster, for whom Wayne Hatswell was the scorer. The other play-off team, Lincoln City, lost 3-1 at Bristol Rovers in Ian Atkins first game in charge (officially, at any rate).

At the other end of the table York City found themselves relegated to the Conference after being beaten 2-1 at home by Orient. Carlisle also eventually succumbed to relegation after several seasons of trying, drawing 1-1 at home to Cheltenham. Scunthorpe survived, despite being beaten 3-2 at Cambridge, and United’s final opponents, Rochdale, drew 1-1 at home to Southend. The only other result saw Swansea win 2-1 at Darlington. In Scotland, Derek Townsley scored Gretna’s first in their 3-2 defeat at Stirling Albion.