Oxford United continued their excellent start to the season with a hard-fought, but deserved, 1-0 win over Exeter City last night. A Steve Basham goal after just seven minutes sent Oxford on their way, after Basham had been put clear by a pin-point Andy Burgess pass, which allowed Bash to go around keeper Martin Rice and slot the ball home. Burgess then saw a delicate chip drift just wide, before Barry Quinn had an excellent opportunity to put some daylight between the sides, after Marvin Robinson was brought down for a penalty in the 20th minute. However, for the second game in succession, United saw the spot-kick saved.

After the penalty miss, United lost their momentum, and Exeter gradually came back into the game. Oxford made it through to half time safely, and after some reorganisation they again looked to be the stronger side in the second half. However, after 20 minutes Billy Turley saved well from a long-range shot and Exeter should have scored from the rebound, but Adam Stansfield shot over with the goal at his mercy. United held on for the points, but they should have had the game wrapped up before half time, rather than making it such hard work for themselves.

Jim Smith had been forced into one change from the side that won at Morecambe on Saturday, with captain Phil Gilchrist suffering an achilles injury. Matt Day deputised for Gilly, with Chris Willmott taking over the captain’s armband. Smith made one change at half-time, with Eddie Hutchinson being replaced by John Dempster. A further change was made in the 68th minute, when Basham was taken off for Yemi Odubade.

Last night’s referee was Simon Beck, taking his first Oxford United match. He generally had a decent game, albeit a tad over fussy at times, and didn’t book any Oxford players. The attendance was 6,083, which is the 32nd best Conference attendance ever, and the second best of this season. We hope to get a match report online soonish.

The win preserved Oxford’s 100 per cent home record, and gives United a five-point lead at the top of the Conference. It is the Us’ best start to a season since 1956/57, when the boys also won seven and drew one of their first eight games. If Oxford don’t lose to Grays on Saturday then this would be the club’s best start to a season since turning professional in 1949. The win was also the first time Oxford have won at home on a Tuesday evening since beating West Brom 3-0 on 29 September 1998. It was also United’s first win over Exeter in 11 attempts, going back to 04 November 1981 when Oxford won 2-1 at St James Park. The last time United beat the Grecians in Oxford was 29 March 1980, when Oxford won 2-0.

Following their defeat, Exeter have fallen back to 9th in the table. Dagenham & Redbridge are United’s closest challengers after they beat Crawley 2-1, leaving Oxford’s next away opponents third from bottom. Third from top now are Aldershot, who beat fourth-bottom Stevenage 4-0, while Weymouth are now 4th after they beat Forest Green Rovers 1-0, to leave the Gloucestershire side bottom of the table. United’s next opponents, Grays Athletic, lost 2-0 at Gravesend & Northfleet to slip from second to fifth, while the Kent side are just behind them in sixth place.

Cambridge United stay second from bottom, despite getting a 1-1 draw with Kidderminster Harriers, who find themselves sixth from bottom (remember that the bottom four are relegated). Morecambe bounced back from their defeat by Oxford on Saturday to win 3-2 at York, to leave City in 7th place and the Shrimps in tenth. Rushden have started to put a few results together now, culminating in last night’s 4-1 win at Tamworth, with Jon Ashton scoring Diamond’s fourth. This result leaves the Irthlingborough side in 8th place. Elsewhere, Altrincham beat Halifax 1-0, Woking won 1-0 at St Albans, and Stafford Rangers and Burton Albion drew 1-1.