United’s play-off hopes took a serious blow this afternoon, as they could only draw with a dismal Cambridge United side at the KasStad, the point sealing Cambridge’s survival as a Division Three side for another season. After a goalless first half, during which United had by far the better of the possession and chances, the game was finally sparked into life with 18 minutes to go, when the visitors took the lead. James Hunt’s run onto a Manny Omoyinmi throw-in was blocked on the blind-side of the referee, and from the resulting interception Cambridge broke away for Daniel Chillingworth to lob the ball over Andy Woodman. Those sad individuals who chose that moment to walk out of the ground deservedly missed a barnstorming finish to the match, as just three minutes later a Dean Whitehead free kick from the left was headed home, allegedly by Paul McCarthy, for the equaliser. Eleven minutes later United were ahead, again from a Deano free kick after he was fouled by Shane Tudor, this time on the right. Jefferson Louis met the kick perfectly to head home his second league goal of the season. Unfortunately, United’s defence then chose that moment to go to sleep, and with Yellows fans still celebrating, the unmarked Chillingworth was able to score his second, less than a minute later, to get an undeserved point for Cambridge.

Graham Rix again rang the changes with United’s starting line-up, although this time many of them were forced on him by injuries. With both Matt Robinson and Danny Brown unfit, regular right-back Scott McNiven filled in at left-back, with Dave Waterman on the opposite side of the defence. Trivia question: when was the last time United started with three black players in the line-up? Not for a few seasons, that’s for sure. Courtney Pitt started on the left wing, with a new-look attacking line of Mark Rawle and Omoyinmi, starting his first game of the season. ROS Chris Hackett made his return to the starting line-up on the right wing. With just over an hour gone, Louis came on for Pitt, and shortly before United scored their first goal Lee Steele replaced Rawle.

The referee was Steve Tanner, who had taken charge of United’s win over Carlisle back in December. He actually didn’t have too bad a game, although he did award James Hunt his habitual yellow card. He also showed yellow to seven different Cambridge players, and awarded three proper drop-balls: unheard of! Oxford supporters have obviously already given up on the play-offs, with the attendance just 5,830, of whom only 587 were in the away end. We anticipate posting up a match report sometime tomorrow.

United have now dropped down to ninth in the league, following Northampton’s 2-0 win at Swansea. We are ten points ahead of tenth placed Boston, who won 3-1 at Orient, for whom Andy Scott scored, so at least we can’t go any lower in the table (this season). United are a point behind Northampton, but are now three points below 7th placed Yeovil, who won 2-0 at Southend. Mansfield are still catchable, just four points ahead of Oxford after losing 3-2 at home to Carlisle, who are off the bottom of the table after York’s 3-1 defeat at leaders Doncaster.

Second-placed Hull City still haven’t confirmed their automatic promotion, after they were held to a scoreless draw by Huddersfield, with Torquay maintaining their challenge by winning 3-1 at Cheltenham. Lincoln can still snatch third place after they came from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Darlington. United’s next opponents, Macclesfield, still aren’t safe, being one of three clubs five points above Carlisle following their 1-0 defeat at Scunthorpe, who are one of the other two. The third are United’s opponents on the season’s last day, Rochdale, who won 1-0 at Kidderminster.

The final day of Conference football this season saw Exeter City miss out on the play-offs, thanks to Aldershot’s 1-1 draw at home to Tamworth. Howard Forinton was on target for Farnborough, who celebrated their survival from relegation by winning 4-2 at Telford. In the Scottish third division, Derek Townsley scored twice as Gretna won 4-1 at Montrose.

In the Second Division, Notts County confirmed that they will be relegated alongside Wycombe after losing 2-1 at home to Port Vale. There are eight clubs still trying to avoid the remaining two relegation places.