United's unbeaten record was a bit shorter this season, as they lost their second match, 2-1 at Cambridge United [@opponent]Cambridge United[/@opponent], going down to a very last-minute goal from Lee Boylan. The match, screened live by Setanta, was a cagey affair, and wouldn't have impressed any neutrals who might have mistakenly tuned in. Both sides made plenty of mistakes, and there was little in the way of flowing football. The first half was a fairly even affair, with Oxford possibly looking the most likely to score. This they did five minutes before the break, when Rob Duffy nodded the ball on to Gary Twigg, unmarked and ten yards out, played onside by a Cambridge player lying on the floor. Twigg made no mistake to score his second goal in successive games.

Cambridge started the second half brightly, and equalised five minutes after the interval. Danny Gleeson nutmegged Alex Jeannin, who flew into the tackle somewhat recklessly. Gleeson's cross was met by Leo Fortune-West, whose downward header beat Billy Turley. United came back into the game, with Eddie Hutchinson heading straight at Danny Potter, and then Marvin Robinson and Arthur Gnohere both headed over when they should, perhaps, have hit the target. They were made to pay in the fourth minute of injury time, despite only three added minutes having been signalled, when a lofted ball from the last of a succession of needlessly conceded free kicks found its way to Boylan, on the edge of the goal area. His turn and shot went beyond Turley and into the net to deny United the draw that Rage Online had so cleverly predicted.[@news]2160[/@news]

Jim Smith made two changes to the side that beat Forest Green Rovers 1-0 on Saturday. In midfield, Carl Pettefer came in for Michael Standing, who was apparently feeling unwell, while up front Twigg started for the first time in a Yellow shirt (although he was wearing United's away blue kit), in place of Joel Ledgister. At half time Robinson came on for Duffy, who had received a knock, while Yemi Odubade replaced Twigg with 20 minutes remaining. United's final substitution saw Luke Foster take to the pitch for the first time this season when he replaced Setanta's Man of the Match, Pettefer.

The match official was SB Attwell, who kept his cards in his pocket all match, despite witnessing Mark Albrighton's deliberate kick at Robinson. The attendance was 3,327, of whom just 385 bothered to attend in support of United. We will (probably) publish a match report tomorrow. If anyone cares to submit one they may do so by emailing it to rageon at ntlworld.com.

The failure to pick up three points leaves United in 12th place after two games, while Cambridge join Exeter City at the top with six points. Early days, though, and considering the way that last season panned out, United may well consider it a blessing in disguise that they have lost their unbeaten tag so early, as it became something of a millstone last term. However, if they are to be serious challengers this season, they will need to eliminate the tendency to concede free kicks in dangerous areas. They will also need to be more dangerous up front, where chances were missed, and opportunities to shoot not taken. It's far too early for post mortems, but the signs are already there that this season is going to be a lot harder than last.