The Pools Panel today declared the Oxford v Rushden match as a home win. Sadly, their declarations do not always reflect reality. In the real world, United are now nine points behind leaders Dagenham & Redbridge after the Daggers slaughtered ninth-placed Exeter City 4-1, thanks to a hat trick from Paul Benson, and another goal from Craig Mackail-Smith, who has now decided not to move to Peterborough after all. Oxford are now only three points clear of their closest challengers after third-placed York and Gravesend & Northfleet, in fourth place, both drew. The Minstermen were 2-0 up within 13 minutes, but were eventually pegged back by Grays Athletic, now 17th. The Fleet drew 1-1 with Stevenage Borough.

Morecambe occupy the final play-off place, one point behind Gravesend, after they won 3-1 at Stafford Rangers, while Burton's threat diminished slightly after they lost 3-2 at 11th-placed Aldershot, despite leading 2-0. The Brewers could still overhaul United if they win their two games in hand, though. Kidderminster Harriers won their eighth straight Conference game, moving up to seventh after winning 1-0 at Altrincham, who are fourth from bottom.

Tamworth remain firmly rooted to the bottom, three points behind Southport, after they lost 1-0 at home to Crawley, who have now moved up to 14th; an incredible achievement bearing in mind their ten-point deduction and behind-the-scenes problems. Southport themselves lost 2-1 at home to Forest Green Rovers, who look to have escaped their relegation problems. United's next game after Monday is at home to Cambridge United, who are still third from bottom, despite an excellent 3-0 win over Woking, with Danny Brown[@player]Brown, Danny[/@player] scoring the other Us' third goal. Rushden & Diamonds, who visit Oxford on Monday, are fifth from bottom.

In other results, St Albans beat Halifax 3-2, to leave the Shaymen just one place above Rushden. Former United triallist Stuart Beavon was on target for his new club, Weymouth, as the eighth-placed Terras were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Northwich Victoria.