Oxford United lost their 100 per cent home record this afternoon to a determined Grays Athletic, who had been reduced to ten men after Jay Smith (no, not that one) was sent off in the fifth minute. Smith was dismissed for hauling down Marvin Robinson, who was through on goal. Things looked even better for United after Steve Basham gave them the lead in the 20th minute. A superb angled pass from Barry Quinn over the Grays right back found Rufus Brevett, and his inch-perfect cross into the penalty area was met by Basham, who headed in off the post for his 49th goal since joining Oxford. United, however, failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage, and six minutes before half-time Aaron MacLean, who looked dangerous all afternoon, was given far too much space in the penalty area and he shot home past Billy Turley’s near post.

In the second half United piled forward, while Grays were content to soak up the pressure, waste time, and try and hit the Us on the break. Oxford almost scored the goal they craved when Robinson got on the end of another Brevett cross, only for Ashley Bayes to produce a superb flying save to deny United. Oxford were finding the massed Grays defence tough to break down, but a neat interchange between Robinson and Basham almost worked, but Basham’s shot flew over the bar. One Grays counter-attack forced Turley into a full-length save, but as time ticked on Oxford became more frantic, and eventually Grays secured the point that their performance deserved.

Jim Smith made one change to the side that beat Exeter City on Tuesday, bringing back Phil Gilchrist after the captain passed a late fitness test on his achilles tendon. Matt Day made way. Smith made just one substitution during the game, bringing on Yemi Odubade at half-time to add fire-power up front, replacing Barry Quinn as United switched to four at the back.

Today’s referee was Carl Evans, taking charge of his first Oxford game. Hopefully it will also be his last, after he made several basic errors, and failed to impose his authority as Grays took advantage of him with their petty time-wasting tactics. He booked Chris Willmott for a tackle on MacLean where there was minimal contact. The attendance of 6,504 was another best crowd for the Conference this season, was more than double the next highest Conference crowd today, and was the 21st best attendance of all time in this league. Of those, 188 were in the away end. We hope to be able to produce some sort of match report sometime, although if anyone wishes to submit one, blah blah blah…

Despite not winning, this draw means that the start to the season is United’s best since turning professional in 1949. It leaves Oxford three points clear at the top of the Conference, while Grays move up to fourth. Dagenham & Redbridge stay second after their 2-1 win over 12th-placed Morecambe, while Weymouth are back up to 3rd after Simon Weatherstone’s second-minute goal was enough to beat Halifax, who have dropped to 20th place. Aldershot, now 5th, were surprisingly beaten 3-1 at home by 17th-placed Northwich Victoria, while York are 6th after they won 1-0 against fourth-bottom Kidderminster.

Forest Green Rovers stay bottom of the league, although they did pick up a point in a 1-1 draw at 15th-placed Tamworth. United’s next opponents, in the live on Sky match on Monday night, Crawley Town, lost 3-1 at 16th-placed Southport to drop back to second from bottom. Crawley’s day was made worse with the news that centre-back Darren Sappleton left the club, leaving their squad even more threadbare and reliant on the “talents” of Dave Woozley and Danny Brown. Stevenage Borough are now third from bottom after they lost 1-0 at Cambridge in Jimmy Quinn’s first game in charge, moving them up to 19th. Elsewhere, Altrincham lost 3-2 at home to Woking, Gravesend and Exeter fought out a 2-2 draw in Kent, Burton won 1-0 at St Albans, and United’s opponents next Saturday, Stafford Rangers, were held 1-1 at home by Rushden & Diamonds.