A superb long-range shot from Matt Day, four minutes from time, earned United all three points last night, as they beat second-bottom Crawley Town 1-0. The game, shown live on Sky TV, looked to be destined for a goalless draw. Chances were at a premium, and when Crawley keeper Ben Hamer tipped an Andy Burgess header onto the bar, and Yemi Odubade’s follow-up also hit the bar before Rob Duffy shot well over, with ten minutes remaining, that looked like the best chance for a winner had gone. Before that neither goalkeeper had to make a decent save, although in the first half Billy Turley tipped over a speculative long shot from Pat Sappleton, while Hamer reacted quickly to deny Marvin Robinson. Day’s strike gave United the win that they hardly deserved, but was no less sweeter for that.

Jim Smith was forced into one change from the side that drew with Grays on Saturday, as Phil Gilchrist was still troubled by his achilles problem, so Day deputised on the left of the back three. Smith made another, unforced, change, recalling Chris Hargreaves, who had just completed his three-match ban, in place of Eddie Hutchinson in midfield. The first substitution came on the hour, as Duffy came on for Steve Basham. In the 72nd minute Robinson was replaced by Yemi, but the most significant change came four minutes later, when John Dempster replaced the clearly knackered Rufus Brevett, with Day moving to left wingback, from where he powered forward to score his spectacular late goal.

The referee was T Ward, a typical Conference official, making those typical Conference decisions. He showed Eddie Anaclet a yellow card, having earlier denied United’s right wingback a decent shout for a penalty. The attendance was 2,102, which is Crawley’s best attendance so far this season. A match report should appear soon. Perhaps.

This was the only game played in the Conference yesterday, and victory for United took them six points clear of Dagenham & Redbridge, who visit Halifax tonight, and Weymouth, who travel to Stevenage. Grays, Aldershot, and York are all now nine points beneath United. Oxford’s next opponents, Stafford Rangers, visit Northwich Victoria.