United lost again, this time to Wrexham by the odd goal in seven. Paul Tait scored his first goal at the Manor after 7 minutes to give the U's the lead before Darren Ferguson levelled direct from a free kick. In the second half Mark McGregor put Wrexham ahead and Martyn Chalk extended their lead before Joey Beauchamp scored a long range effort with four minutes to go. Carlos Edwards restored Wrexham's two goal cushion but McGregor diverted a Steve Anthrobus cross past Kevin Dearden to set up a lively last few minutes. Anthrobus also had a goal disallowed for pushing. United started the game with the same side as commenced at swindon last Sunday, with Jamie Cook replacing the departed Guy Whittingham. Manny Omoyinmi replaced Matt Murphy at half time and John Robertson came on for Sam Ricketts. Anthrobus replaced Cook with about ten minutes remaining. The low crowd of 3,884 saw a very strange refereeing display from Michael Crick, with bookings for Dean Whitehead, Derek Lilley and Ricketts. Read a match report if you have nothing better to do.

Last night Mark Stein gave Luton the lead at the Abbey Stadium before Cambridge came back to win 2-1; United need to beat Luton 5-0 on Tuesday to climb above them and off the bottom of the table. Oldham Athletic moved further away from United with a 1-0 win over swindon, whilst Bournemouth lost 1-0 at home to Rotherham. Bristol City acheived a creditable 0-0 draw at Walsall and Port Vale possibly saved Brian Horton's job (for now) with a 3-1 victory over Colchester. Giovanni Savarese, who United were interested in but whom Denis Smith wasn't sure would be up to the rigours of the English league, scored both Swansea's goals in their 2-1 win over Stoke on his debut.

Andy Thomson scored Gillingham's first two goals in their 4-4 draw against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park. Lee Nogan scored Darlington's second in their 2-0 win over Torquay. John Durnin scored on his Kidderminster debut, notching their first in their 3-3 draw at Lincoln.

Wright's plight

Mark Wright has issued a “come and get me” message to Firoz Kassam, despite Southport refusing United permission to speak to their manager earlier this week. Wright has said that, “provided things are right”, he would like to take over at the Manor, but those things being right include positive news on the new stadium and money for new players. Denis Smith has also revealed that he has spoken to Alan Buckley, formerly of Grimsby, but he was not interested in the United vacancy. Smith himself has been linked, along with Malcolm Crosby, with the vacant post at Plymouth, which should be just about far enough away.

Andy Linighan, sacked by Crystal Palace earlier this week, was seen at the Manor today, sparking rumours that he may soon be wending his way Manorwards.