United pay the price

Oxford surrendered two vital points this evening when they allowed a poor Darlington side to snatch a late equaliser at the Kassam Stadium. Oxford had the better of the first half but it wasn't until four minutes into the second period when Steve Basham burst through to finish with aplomb. However United then sat back and seemed content to allow the Quakers far too much space, and were duly punished for it when a long range strike from Richard Hodgson three minutes before the end gave Darlington a deserved point.

Oxford made one enforced change from the side that began at Highbury, with Scott McNiven suspended Roy Hunter moved to the right wingback slot and Dean Whitehead took up his place on the right of midfield. Up front David Oldfield was rested and Jefferson Louis started the game. United's first substitution was the replacement of Louis by Oldfield shortly after taking the lead. Later goalscorer Basham was replaced by Lee Steele.

Referee David Crick, who took charge of the first ever competitive game at the Kassam Stadium against Rochdale last season, reffed his first game of the season tonight, and had a reasonable time although seemed to lose it a bit in the second half. At least he didn't book any Oxford players. The attendance of 4,968 included just 120 from the North East, but isn't bad considering. A match report can be found here.

The point kept Oxford in sixth place, but if Oxford had won they'd have been up to fourth. Bury won 3-2 at Swansea after being 3-0 up at half-time to four points clear of United, whilst Torquay were held to a 1-1 draw at Bristol Rovers. Elsewhere Shrewsbury lost 1-0 at home to Southend.

Division Three clubs had mixed fortunes in tonight's FA Cup third round replays. Cambridge lost 3-2 at Millwall despite being ahead twice, but Bournemouth drew 2-2 at Crewe after extra time, the full time score being 1-1, and went on to win 3-1 on penalties.