Oxford kept their unbeaten run going at the expense of formerly third-placed York City, winning 2-0 at the United Stadium this afternoon. Leading scorer Rob Duffy grabbed the first goal after quarter of an hour, following some excellent passing from the United forward line. The move involved Eddie Anaclet, Andy Burgess, and Carl Pettefer, whose cross found Duffy unmarked six yards out for a clinical finish. Anaclet had a chance to double the lead soon after, but ran the ball out of play after breaking quickly, while Billy Turley was called into action to make a save from Clayton Donaldson, who had been played in after Barry Quinn’s clearance found a York player.

The second half started with end-to-end play, but it was United who always looked the more threatening, with their quick passing and spreading the ball wide. Steve Basham fired over from just a few yards out after Chris Willmott seemed to get in his way, and Tom Evans did well to keep Bash’s shot out, for which the referee awarded a goalkick, bizarrely. Turley also had to make a couple of smart saves to maintain United’s lead, but generally Oxford’s solid defence ably dealt with anything that York could throw at them. After Duffy had headed narrowly over from an excellent Rufus Brevett cross, the Us scored the goal that their approach play deserved. A long ball forwards from Brevett was flicked into the path of Basham, who fought to get goalside of a City defender and then squared the ball to the onrushing Burgess, who shot under the diving Evans. That was game over, as United soaked up the few attacks that York mounted while Burgess showboated in midfield, despite being kicked by the York players both on and off the ball.

Jim Smith made three changes from the side that won at Stafford last weekend. Phil Gilchrist had recovered from his achilles injury and came back into defence, with Matt Day dropping to the bench. Burgess was over his bout of ‘flu and returned to midfield, with John Dempster making way, while Eddie Hutchinson replaced Chris Hargreaves in the centre of the park. Day was United’s first substitution, replacing the tiring Brevett with six minutes remaining. Then Smith made a double substitution in the final minute of normal time, bringing off the two goalscorers, who both received a standing ovation, and replacing Burgess with Dempster and Duffy with Yemi Odubade.

There was yet another typical Conference refereeing performance today, this time the culprit being Chris Sarginson, who missed several fouls and made a number of erroneous decisions. At least he wasn’t a card-happy chap, and no Yellows saw yellow. Today’s attendance was 6,602, which was another season high, and more than double the next best of the day, which was the 2,433 at Aldershot. It was also more than any of today’s Fourth Division attendances. We hope to produce a match report tomorrow. Is there any point in requesting a submission?

The three points gained today take United eight points clear at the top of the Conference, with the quarter-way stage now passed. York have slipped from third to seventh. Dagenham & Redbridge stay second, despite being held to a goalless draw at Gravesend & Northfleet, who are ninth. Weymouth are now third, after beating fifth-bottom St Albans 2-1. Aldershot’s goalless draw at home to 14th-placed Altrincham leaves the Shots in fourth, while Woking are up to fifth after winning 2-0 at 13th-placed Northwich. Burton Albion are sixth after they won 2-1 at 12th-placed Rushden & Diamonds.

Crawley Town stay bottom, despite winning 1-0 at 18th-placed Kidderminster, while Forest Green Rovers beat 15th-placed Stafford Rangers 2-1, but remain second from bottom. United’s next opponents, Southport, who visit Oxford on Tuesday, lost 1-0 at home to Exeter City, who are 10th, while Halifax Town occupy the fourth relegation spot after losing 2-1 at 16th-placed Stevenage Borough. Grays Athletic are down to 8th after losing 1-0 at home to Morecambe, while Cambridge’s revival under Jimmy Quinn continued as they won 1-0 at Tamworth.