Very Iffy defeat

United lost 2-1 after extra time at home to Gillingham in the first round of the Worthington Cup tonight. United took the lead through Andy Scott in the 41st minute but the Gills equalised after Sam Stockley allegedly tugged Paul Shaw's shirt in the penalty area, Marlon King scoring from the spot just 8 minutes from time. Iffy Onuora sealed the tie for the Kent side in the final minute of extra time.

United made two changes from the side which drew at Swansea, recalling Paul Tait in place of Joey Beauchamp and giving Phil Gray his first appearance of the season in place of Jamie Brooks, who has a thigh strain. Dean Whitehead came on for Dave Savage after just seven minutes and Rage On Sponsored Rob Folland replaced Tait just before the penalty was taken. Beauchamp took to the pitch for the first time at the new stadium to replace Gray ten minutes into the first period of extra time.

Referee Mark Cooper booked Paul Tait. The attendance was 5,886 and a match report appears here.

Moody clues

A report posted on various internet forums suggests that Paul Moody is indeed the striker that United are about to sign. The posting alleges that Moody “jumped at the chance” of regular first team football at Oxford as he is currently out of the frame at Millwall, but that he currently has a stomach bug and hasn't trained yet this season, which might delay the deal. Rage Online emphasises that this report is unconfirmed, but it certainly has a ring of credulity about it and it was posted by the same person on TiU, Oxtales and Yellows Online, so if it is a wind-up it's one that the perpetrator is keen to spread!