U's winning run comes to a halt

United went down 3-2 for the fourth time in five weeks at Colchester this evening in a result which brings to a premature end the optimism (relatively speaking) engendered after last Saturday's victory. Colchester were 2-0 up at half-time through goals from Barry Conlon after 27 minutes and Micky Stockwell ten minutes before the break. Oxford levelled the scores with two quick goals by Phil Gray, who converted a Chris Hackett cross, and Joey Beauchamp in the 56th and 57th minutes, but Stockwell secured the points for the home side in the 69th minute.

The only change to last Saturday's line-up was, as predicted, Peter Fear replacing the departed Keith Andrews. In a tactical move Paul Powell replaced Andy Linighan with quarter of an hour remaining. No Oxford players were booked by referee P.E. Alcock and the attendance was a meagre 3,695. A match report has now appeared, the Rage Online reporter having got his act together!

In his pre-match interview United boss David Kemp confirmed that the club had made bids, involving fees, for two players, a midfielder and a striker. Meanwhile former U's midfielder Martin Gray is being linked with a move from Darlington to Luton.