United throw it away (again)

Shambolic defending by Oxford United ensured that they were again unable to hold onto a lead and ended up drawing 1-1 with a Brentford side previously in free-fall. Derek Lilley scored Oxford's goal in the 42nd minute following a superb run and pass by Paul Powell but in the first minute of the second half Lloyd Owusu equalised after Les Robinson had been easily beaten for pace and the resultant cross wasn't cleared.

Nigel Jemson started the game up front, in place of Steve Anthrobus, and Jamie Cook was replaced by Neil McGowan, back for his first start since breaking his leg. This allowed Powell to play in his preferred position on the left wing. Lilley partnered Jemson up front whilst Matt Murphy switched to right wing. Anthrobus came on for Jemson midway through the second half, Cook replaced an unfit Eddie Newton and for some reason Simon Weatherstone came on for Lilley. Lilley and Paul Tait received yellow cards from referee Steve Tomlin. The attendance was 5,342. There's a disconsolate match report here.

This result sees Oxford fall back into the relegation zone on goal difference as a result of Cardiff's 2-1 win at Oldham, who were a goal up. The other results involving teams in and around the drop area all went Oxford's (or Cardiff's) way: Chesterfield lost 3-0 at home to Wrexham, for whom Karl Connelly scored a hat-trick, a result which means the Spireites are definitely relegated. Blackpool look likely to join them as they went down 3-2 at ten men Bury, and Scunthorpe lost 1-0 at Preston – a result which guarantees North End promotion to the First Division. Even Cambridge lost, 3-1 at Colchester, to drag them back into the frame, just four points ahead of Cardiff and United.

There were a couple of former Oxford players who found their way onto the scoresheets today. Matty Elliott scored Leicester's opener as they drew 2-2 at Aston Villa; Jim Magilton's penalty wasn't enough to prevent Ipswich losing 3-1 at QPR, a result that guaranteed Charlton's promotion to the Premiership.