Blackwell left cursing his luck as Oxford beat Bury

Oxford United 2

Rose 33, Mullins 80

Bury 1

Soares 70

Goals from Danny Rose and Johnny Mullins helped Oxford maintain their 100% start to the 2013/14 season with victory over Bury.

Rose, making his home debut in his second spell at the Kassam Stadium, scored a wonderful free-kick to put Oxford in front.

A strike from Tom Soares put Bury level before Mullins, who too was starting a second spell at the club, fired home to put Oxford top of League Two.

Bury also saw defender Nathan Cameron sent off for a second bookable offence.

Bury boss Kevin Blackwell was left reeling by some of the refereeing decisions.

“The award for the first free-kick was absolutely pathetic” said an exasperated Blackwell. “It’s hard when you work all week and see something like that. It was a nothing foul. As a manager, you want decisions to be equal. If someone gets something one way, it needs to go the other way. That’s not what happened today.”

“[Nathan] Cameron just lost his cool. It’s the frustration that builds up in players. I’m not knocking the referee for booking him twice, but there was no consistency. Cameron had elbows in his face all afternoon.”

Oxford boss Chris Wilder had a different view.

“There were a lot of fouls being committed out there. I’m not surprised somebody got sent off” said Wilder. “We took advantage of two fouls. I didn’t see a problem with either foul and I don’t think the referee got many major decisions wrong.”

The U’s made the breakthrough when Deane Smalley was impeded on the edge of the area. From the resulting free-kick, Rose floated the ball over the wall and into the bottom left hand corner.

Bury were rejuvenated in the second half and were rewarded with an equaliser. Craig Jones dribbled his way through the Oxford defence and crossed for Tom Soares who volleyed into the roof of the net.

But disaster struck for Bury with ten minutes remaining. Cameron was booked for a foul on Deane Smalley. From the resulting free kick, Johnny Mullins fired past Rob Lainton to put Oxford back in front.

Amid the celebrations, Cameron was shown a second yellow card for arguing with the referee. In the end, the man advantage proved too much as Oxford made it two wins out of two in the league.

“We couldn’t have asked for two tougher games and two better starts” said Wilder.

“We’ve made a lot of changes this summer. The players are still getting to know each other.

“Our quality wasn’t as good as the first half and they took advantage of that and deservedly got back into the game. Then we started playing, getting on the ball and came alive again. We need to have a solid home record and we’ll attract a few more punters if we keep winning at home.”

Referee: James Linington 5/10

Att: 5,774

Match rating 3/5

Star man: Danny Rose (Central Midfielder – Oxford United)

Oxford United (4-4-2) Clarke 6, Hunt 6, Mullins 7, Wright 5, Newey 6, Potter 7, Whing 6, Rose 8, Rigg 7 (Hall 90 N/A), Kitson 5 (Constable 86 N/A), Smalley 6 (Davies 90 N/A)

Subs not used: Crocombe, Raynes, Ruffels, Williams

Bury (4-4-2): Lainton 6, Beeley 6, Hinds 5, Cameron 3, Roberts 6, Soares 6 (Jackson 85 N/A), Procter 5, Holden 6, Jones 7, Rooney 6 (Sinnott 63 5), Harrad 5 (Forrester 62 5)

Subs not used: Charles-Cook, Lockwood, Sedgwick, Grimes

Fergie retires: Where do Manchester United go from here?

We all knew this day would come. Perhaps it has come a little sooner than people might have hoped, yet here it is.

After 26 and a half years, 13 Premier League trophies, five FA Cups, four League Cups, two Champions League trophies, one Cup Winners’ Cup, one FIFA Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one Inter-Continental Cup and ten Community Shields, Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson is to step down as manager of Manchester United.

On 19th May, Sir Alex will take charge of his 1,500th and final game as United manager away at West Brom, ending with a win ratio of almost 60%.

That statistic alone is pretty incredible when you look back to where it all started for him in 1986. His first match in charge was a 2-0 defeat away at Oxford United. He didn’t win his first trophy until 1990 and his first League title did not come until 1993. Had this been within the last decade, Fergie would have lost his job a long time ago.

Yet since that first trophy, what he has achieved at Manchester United is nothing short of miraculous. He has single-handedly taken the club from mid-table mediocrity to the greatest ever English team; the ultimate force; the team that everyone wants to beat. Since the founding of the Premier League over twenty years ago, United have never finished lower than third.

He is a man who has divided opinion down the years, but whether you like him or not, it is impossible to deny him his place as the greatest football manager of all time.

There have been many changes in recent years at Old Trafford that have raised questions about the stability of the club. Ownership of the club has changed hands, sponsorship has changed and world-class players have come and gone. But through all the trials and tribulations, one thing has remained constant (apart from the seamlessly everlasting career of Ryan Giggs) and that is the manager.

Ferguson has always been the one person at the club that fans, players, board members, directors, owners and shareholders could rely on. He has always been the calm in the storm. Now that the club is coming to terms with his imminent departure, who can they turn to now to be the calming influence?

Ferguson’s departure will have significant consequences for Manchester United. While the club remain one of the giants of world sport, they no longer have that stability that they have relied on for the last 26 and a half years.

And the question now is, where next? How could they possibly replace somebody like Sir Alex?

Well, the simple truth of it is, they can’t. Frankly, there is not a single football manager out there who could possibly replace Sir Alex. No manager out there is capable of emulating the success that he has achieved.

Now that’s not to say there aren’t some fantastic managers out there, because we all know that there are. But the landscape of the modern game has changed, making it virtually impossible for a manager to stay at a club even half as long as Ferguson has.

In today’s modern era of impatient owners, one poor season can cost a manager their job, regardless of how long they have been at the club. Ferguson himself had some poor seasons at Manchester United. Just last season, United failed to win a single trophy (apart from the Community Shield), but because he had already been at the club for so long and brought unprecedented success, sacking him for one bad season would have been completely illogical.

Up until today, Manchester United had been living in an alternate reality. Whilst most clubs fail to hold on to a manager for more than three or four seasons, Manchester United have never had this problem. Now they do.

The new manager, whoever that may be, could have two or three good seasons, then all of a sudden, go an entire season without winning a trophy. Who are the owners going to blame? The manager won’t have been there long enough to justify his position, therefore the blame will be placed firmly at his feet.

Bar a couple of notable exceptions, that is the way the modern game works now. No manager is safe. Jose Mourinho is probably the only manager in the world right now who you would never dream of sacking. But the man is so flighty, if he were offered the job at Old Trafford, he wouldn’t stay there for more than five years.

Whoever comes in to the hot-seat, whether it be Mourinho, or David Moyes or whoever, they have their work cut out straight away. Why? Because they are not Sir Alex Ferguson.

The legacy that Ferguson is leaving behind has made it almost impossible to find an adequate successor.

But that does not mean that the new manager can’t enjoy a long, successful spell at the club. After all, they will have the money and facilities that most managers can only dream of. One can only hope that the club’s owners learn from their experience with Sir Alex and not go jumping the gun at the first sign of failure.

As another league season draws to a close, we have once again witnessed a season where managers have  come and gone at the drop of a hat. It’s almost second nature.

But no managerial exit bares the same level of significance as this. This could be the signal that the most successful era of the greatest English club of all time could be coming to an end.

Pressley prepared for tough summer after Coventry draw at Notts County

Coventry boss Steven Pressley is determined to help Coventry win promotion next year after they finished a troubled season with a draw at Notts County.

County led at half time thanks to Tyrell Waite’s first goal for the club before John Fleck equalised at the start of the second half. County regained the lead minutes later through Krystian Pearce before Franck Moussa salvaged a point with four minutes remaining.

But having trailed twice, Pressley was encouraged by his side’s performance going into the summer.

“We started the game really well and I thought we penned them in for long periods” said Pressley. “We just lost our way for 15 minutes.”

“We were outstanding in the second half. We’re very unfortunate not to have won the game today. We scored two but we had numerous other opportunities. I’m very proud of the performance.”

Pressley insisted that he is the right man to turn the club around after what has been a disastrous season for the Sky Blues.

“My job is to turn this football club around and get us moving in the right direction and I’m hugely motivated to do that.”

“We have to work exceptionally hard over the summer to turn this club around and get ourselves challenging for promotion next year.”

County broke the deadlock on 34 minutes. Alan Sheehan’s shot from outside the area was parried by Chris Dunn, but the rebound fell to Tyrell Waite who headed in his fist goal for the Magpies.

The Sky Blues came within inches of equalising on 49 minutes. John Fleck teed up David Bell, whose curler from the edge of the area came back off the bar.

It was Fleck’s turn to have a shot just a minute later. But this time, his rasping shot flew into the top corner to draw Coventry level.

But they found themselves behind again almost immediately. Jeff Hughes’ header came back off the post, leaving Krystian Pearce to fire into an empty net.

Coventry went in search of another equaliser and their persistence was rewarded when substitute Franck Moussa’s sweet strike found the bottom corner to send the away fans into raptures.

County manager Chris Kiwomya could not hide his disappointment that his side could not hold on for the win.

“I didn’t enjoy the last part of the game, we were just trying to hang in there towards the end” said Kiwomya. “Their goals could have been stopped, and that’s the disappointing thing for me. But you could see that we were tired out there. I’m disappointed more than anything.”

“I found out what I wanted about the players that we have got in the team, so that helps me make decisions for next season. I want eleven captains on the pitch for next season. Especially like today, somebody needs to encourage the players to see matches out.”

Notts County 2
Waite 34
Pearce 54

Coventry City 2
Fleck 50
Moussa 86

Referee: David Webb 7/10
Att: 7,608
Match rating 3/5
Star man: Alan Judge (Notts County – Left Midfield)

Notts County (4-4-2): Bialkowski 7, Liddle 6, Leacock 6, Pearce 7, Sheehan 6, Campbell-Ryce 7, Hughes 7, Labadie 6 (Bishop 63 6), Judge 8, Arquin 6, Waite 6 (Boucaud 45 6)

Subs not used: Pilkington, Hollis, Bencherif, Thompson, Tempest

Coventry City (4-5-1): Dunn 6, Christie 7, Martin 6, Wood 6, Adams 6, Baker 6, Thomas 6, Barton 5 (Moussa 71 6), Fleck 7, Bell 7, Wilson 6 (McDonald 45 6)

Subs not used: Burge, Clarke, Edjenguele, Jennings, Daniels

Wilder uncertain on future as Oxford comfortably beat Rochdale

Oxford United manager Chris Wilder admitted his future is unclear despite watching his side beat Rochdale 3-0.

Second half goals from Andy Whing, James Constable and Alfie Potter helped Oxford win their final home game of the season.

It was an excellent finale to what has overall been a disappointing season for Oxford as they fail to make the League Two play-offs.

“We punished them today and if we’d punished teams more frequently like we did today, we would be in a much better position than we are now” said Wilder.

“The fans gave us a fabulous reception. The away record has been good all season but we should have had a few more days like today.”

But Wilder insisted that he did not know about his future in the Oxford hotseat:

“I just keep working and wait until the chairman speaks to me. When [he] speaks to me and tells me either way, I’ll take it in the way I always take things.”

“Whether it’s me or whoever takes over and leads the club into the new season, I think it’s a lot healthier position than it was when I first took over.”

Neither side had anything to play for going into this game and this was reflected by a first half severely lacking in quality and entertainment.

Oxford had the best chance of the half after just three minutes. Deane Smalley’s angled shot was saved well by Josh Lillis before Alfie Potter dragged the rebound wide.

Chris Wilder brought top scorer James Constable on at half-time in an attempt to reinvigorate his side.

And just eight minutes into the second half, Oxford went in front.

Smalley’s cross from inside the area found Andy Whing who struck a crisp volley into the roof of the net.

Oxford doubled their lead with 14 minutes remaining. Substitute Jon Paul Pittman fed the ball to Constable who fired into the top corner from six yards.

Alfie Potter wrapped up the points for Oxford in stoppage time. He latched on to Sean Rigg’s through ball and calmly chipped the ball over Lillis to secure a comfortable win for Oxford in their final home game of the season.

Rochdale manager Keith Hill was disappointed after seeing his sides six match unbeaten run come to an end.

“Today, we were a shadow of what I expect with and without the ball” said Hill.

“The opposition put us under pressure. But we were quite lacklustre. I don’t want to be too critical of the players because we’ve covered a lot of ground in such a short space of time and I’m encouraged by that.”

Oxford United 3

Whing 53, Constable 76, Potter 90

Rochdale 0

Referee: Steven Rushton 7/10

Att: 6,014

Match rating 3/5

Star man: Andy Whing (Central Midfield – Oxford United)

Oxford United (4-4-2): Crocombe 6, Batt 6, Raynes 6, Duberry 7, Davis 6 (O’Brien 61 ), Whing 8, Rigg 6, Davies 6, Capaldi 5 (Constable 45 7), Smalley 7 (Pittman 72 6), Potter 6

Subs not used: McCormick, Heslop, Long, O’Dowda

Rochdale (4-4-2): Lillis 6, Rafferty 6 (Cansdell-Sherriff 63 5), Edwards 6, Thomas 5, Rose 6, Grant 7, Kennedy 5 (Logan 63 5), Cavanagh 6, Henderson 6, Donnelly 6, Grimes 5 (Gray 63 6)

Subs not used: Collis, Barry-Murphy, McIntyre, Gornell

Deane Smalley scores the winner to leave Port Vale scratching their heads

Port Vale boss Micky Adams insisted that his side’s dip in form is merely a blip after watching them lose 2-1 at Oxford.

Alfie Potter put Oxford ahead after a mistake by Darren Purse, but Vale equalised minutes later thanks to a wonderful strike by Doug Loft.

But Deane Smalley popped up with the winner with 14 minutes to go, and despite missing a penalty towards the end, Oxford held on to claim six points out of six against the league’s top two sides.

Port Vale meanwhile suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season, but Adams was confident of turning it around.

“We’ll come through the back of this” said Adams. “We’ve shown enough quality to suggest that we will come through it. There’s still a quarter of the season to go. There’s an awful lot of football to be played. This is a blip and we’ll come through it.”

“We’re left scratching our heads somewhat because we don’t recognise some of the players at the moment with the way they are playing”

“My players have had enough pats on the back all year. But they’ve got to look at themselves at the moment.”

U’s boss Chris Wilder said that the priority was just to win at home, having failed to do so since New Year’s Day.

“We just wanted to win a game of football at home” said Wilder after the match. “We knew they would be on the front foot after Tuesday night’s defeat and they would definitely come at us, and they did.”

“All I was interested in was getting a win at home because it’s been a long time coming and the supporters deserve it.”

Vale centre back Darren Purse made a hash of a back-pass allowing Alfie Potter through to score his second goal in as many games.

But their lead lasted just six minutes. Tom Pope set up captain Doug Loft, who unleashed a thunderbolt from 20 yards into the top corner.

But on 76 minutes, Smalley was set up by Michael Raynes to shoot between the keepers legs and put Oxford back in front.

Oxford were then awarded a penalty after Burge brought down Liam Davis in the box.

However former Vale player Sean Rigg saw his spot-kick brilliantly turned around the post by Chris Neal. Despite a nervy last five minutes, Oxford held on for the win.

Adams believed that it was his side’s second half performance that let them down.

“We gifted them a goal but got back into the game with a great goal. I was pleased at half-time.”

“But I thought we were off the pace in the second half. We didn’t do enough to win the game. We sat back and invited pressure. We had a couple of half-chances and we got done with a goal that was avoidable.”

 

Oxford United 2
Potter 10
Smalley 76

Port Vale 1
Loft 16

Referee: Eddie Ilderton 3/10
Att: 6,322
Match rating 3/5
Star man: Michael Raynes (Centre-Half – Oxford United)

Oxford United (4-4-2): McCormick 6, Batt 7, Raynes 8, Wright 7, Davis 7, Parker 6 (Constable 6 67) Chapman 6 (Whing 45 ), Capaldi 6, Rigg 5, Smalley 7, Potter 7 (Davies 90 N/A)

Subs not used: Crocombe, Duberry, O’Brien, Craddock

Port Vale (4-4-2): Neal 6, Duffy 5, Purse 4, McCombe 5, Jones 5, Myrie-Williams 7, Burge 6 (Morsy 86 N/A), Loft 7, Andrew 6 (Hughes 70 5), Pope 6, Williamson 6 (Dodds 70 6)

Subs not used: Yates, Shuker, Vincent, Birchall

Deane Smalley scores the winner to leave Port Vale scratching their heads

Port Vale boss Micky Adams insisted that his side’s dip in form is merely a blip after watching them lose 2-1 at Oxford.

Alfie Potter put Oxford ahead after a mistake by Darren Purse, but Vale equalised minutes later thanks to a wonderful strike by Doug Loft.

But Deane Smalley popped up with the winner with 14 minutes to go, and despite missing a penalty towards the end, Oxford held on to claim six points out of six against the league’s top two sides.

Port Vale meanwhile suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season, but Adams was confident of turning it around.

“We’ll come through the back of this” said Adams. “We’ve shown enough quality to suggest that we will come through it. There’s still a quarter of the season to go. There’s an awful lot of football to be played. This is a blip and we’ll come through it.”

“We’re left scratching our heads somewhat because we don’t recognise some of the players at the moment with the way they are playing”

“My players have had enough pats on the back all year. But they’ve got to look at themselves at the moment.”

U’s boss Chris Wilder said that the priority was just to win at home, having failed to do so since New Year’s Day.

“We just wanted to win a game of football at home” said Wilder after the match. “We knew they would be on the front foot after Tuesday night’s defeat and they would definitely come at us, and they did.”

“All I was interested in was getting a win at home because it’s been a long time coming and the supporters deserve it.”

Vale centre back Darren Purse made a hash of a back-pass allowing Alfie Potter through to score his second goal in as many games.

But their lead lasted just six minutes. Tom Pope set up captain Doug Loft, who unleashed a thunderbolt from 20 yards into the top corner.

But on 76 minutes, Smalley was set up by Michael Raynes to shoot between the keepers legs and put Oxford back in front.

Oxford were then awarded a penalty after Burge brought down Liam Davis in the box.

However former Vale player Sean Rigg saw his spot-kick brilliantly turned around the post by Chris Neal. Despite a nervy last five minutes, Oxford held on for the win.

Adams believed that it was his side’s second half performance that let them down.

“We gifted them a goal but got back into the game with a great goal. I was pleased at half-time.”

“But I thought we were off the pace in the second half. We didn’t do enough to win the game. We sat back and invited pressure. We had a couple of half-chances and we got done with a goal that was avoidable.”

Oxford United 2
Potter 10
Smalley 76

Port Vale 1
Loft 16

Referee: Eddie Ilderton 5/10
Att: 6,322
Match rating 3/5
Star man: Michael Raynes (Centre-Half – Oxford United)

Oxford United (4-4-2): McCormick 6, Batt 7, Raynes 8, Wright 7, Davis 7, Parker 6 (Constable 6 67) Chapman 6 (Whing 45 ), Capaldi 6, Rigg 5, Smalley 7, Potter 7 (Davies 90 N/A)

Subs not used: Crocombe, Duberry, O’Brien, Craddock

Port Vale (4-4-2): Neal 6, Duffy 5, Purse 4, McCombe 5, Jones 5, Myrie-Williams 7, Burge 6 (Morsy 86 N/A), Loft 7, Andrew 6 (Hughes 70 5), Pope 6, Williamson 6 (Dodds 70 6)

Subs not used: Yates, Shuker, Vincent, Birchall

Maghoma scores a beauty as Burton continue chase for automatic promotion

Jacques Maghoma scored a wonderful goal as Burton Albion ran out comfortable winners against fellow promotion hopefuls Exeter City.

Michael Symes and Marcus Holness had already put the Brewers 2-0 up before Maghoma found the top corner before half time.

Lee Bell scored another cracker to put the home side four up before Exeter produced a mini comeback through goals from Guillem Bauza, and a dubious goal from Scot Bennett.

Having previously won 10 of their previous away matches the Grecians felt confident of adding to that total, however they were blown away by a superb first half performance by Burton.

Grecians manager Paul Tisdale failed to blame any individual players for the performance.

“There weren’t too many poor performances out on the pitch” said Tisdale after the match. “The players haven’t let me down all season and they didn’t let me down today.

“Once the game got away from us, it was very simple. We were having to start again at half time and pull the game back. There was no lack of concentration. We just didn’t read the game well enough. The game changed after their first goal. The players are responsible for their performance during the first half.”

Burton went ahead on 11 minutes through Leyton Orient loanee Symes. The Exeter defence failed to deal with a low Damien McCrory cross, allowing Symes plenty space to fire past Rhys Evans.

They doubled their lead on 27 minutes. Maghoma’s cross found Marcus Holness, who squeezed his header in off the post to score his first goal for the Brewers.

At this point, Burton were in complete control, but Maghoma’s strike was the icing on the cake. The ball fell to Symes who set up the Congolese international, who curled a beautiful first-time shot from just inside the area and into the top corner to give Burton a commanding lead at half-time.

Once again, it was Burton who started the second half on top and went 4-0 up on the hour mark. Captain Lee Bell fired a stunning shot from just outside the area, which hit the underside of the bar and bounced over the goal line.

Exeter barely created a chance all game, but substitute Guillem Bauza capitalised on a rare opportunity to fire past Stuart Tomlinson on 71 minutes.

Exeter began to play well and hopes of a miraculous comeback were raised minutes later. Scot Bennett’s header from Craig Woodman’s corner was adjudged to have crossed the line to reduce the deficit to 4-2.

But Burton held on to climb back into a League 2 automatic promotion spot and record their third straight win against teams battling for promotion.

“The Rotherham game turned our season around” said Summerfield. “We played brilliantly, and the lads brought that into the Fleetwood game, which was one of the best all round performances I have seen.”

“I wasn’t too worried about a comeback. After they scored the second goal, they didn’t really have any efforts on goal, it wasn’t too bad. We started doing the right things towards the end.”

Burton Albion 4
Symes 11
Holness 27
Maghoma 34
Bell 60

Exeter City 2
Bauza 70
Bennett 74

Referee: James Linington 6/10
Att: 2,823
Match rating 5/5
Star man: Jacques Maghoma (left winger – Burton Albion)

Burton Albion (4-4-2): Tomlinson 6, O’Connor, 8 Sharps 7, Holness 8, McCrory 8, MacDonald 6 (Drury 66 6), Weir 7, Bell 8, Maghoma 9, Kee 6 (Zola 71 7), Symes 8

Subs not used: Lyness, Corbett, Phillips, Dyer, Paterson

Exeter City (4-4-1-1): Evans 5, Amankwaah 6, Baldwin 4, Coles 4, Woodman 6, Molesley 5 (Oakley 64 5), Bennett 6, Doherty 5, Davies 5 (Bauza 45 6), Keohane 5 (O’Flynn 86 N/A), Cureton 5

Subs not used: Pym, Tully, Moore-Taylor, Gosling

Mark Robins warns his players of complacency following last-gasp win against Oldham

Coventry manager Mark Robins was in no mood for celebrating despite watching his side score deep into injury time to earn victory at home to Oldham.

The Latics thought they had escaped with a point when Matt Smith headed home in the 89th minute to cancel out Stephen Elliott’s opener.

But James Bailey, on loan from Derby County, fired in a brilliant half-volley into the top corner to grab the win and move Coventry to within one place of the League 1 play-offs.

But Robins was critical of his side following the win.

“The main emotion was the sense of relief at the end because with a minute left we conceded a shocking goal that would have felt like a defeat” said Robins. “It was a good performance by us, but having said that, we’ve created numerous opportunities that we haven’t taken and not been great in front of goal.”

Despite the freezing conditions, this match went ahead thanks to the tireless work of the ground staff at the Ricoh Arena. Robins was first to thank the ground staff.

“I’ve got to thank the stewards and everybody else for clearing the snow and giving us the opportunity to play. That was fantastic and it’s given us the chance to take the three points. It would have been a travesty had we not done.”

But for all of the effort to get the game on, the first half lacked any real quality.

Coventry had a chance on 26 minutes when Carl Baker picked up the run of Cyrus Christie, whose stinging drive was saved well by Bouzanis. Minutes later the Aussie keeper pulled off a world-class save. John Fleck’s curling effort seemed destined for the top corner, only for Bouzanis to tip it over the bar.

Mark Robins brought on Stephen Elliott in the second half to add to Coventry’s attacking options and the decision paid off just after the hour mark. McSheffrey’s cross from the left found Elliott who was on hand to head in his fourth goal of the season.

Then in a frantic last few minutes, Oldham thought they’d snatched a point. With just a minute of normal time remaining, Jose Baxter’s corner was headed home from close range by Smith.

But with seconds remaining, James Bailey grabbed the winner, leaving Oldham manager Paul Dickov to reflect on what could have been a precious point.

“It’s hard to accept a defeat like that” said Dickov. “I think on the balance of play, we deserved a point. I thought the way we responded [to going behind] was magnificent and we got our reward. Once we equalised I thought we would go on and win.

“We had enough in our tank to get three points. But at the same time, you can’t afford to switch off, and that’s what we did, and what could have been an excellent result for us has meant that we have left empty-handed.”

Wilson insists that the league is priority as Sheffield United beat Oxford

Sheffield United boss Danny Wilson refused to get carried away as he watched the Blades book their place in the 4th round of the FA Cup for the first time in five years.

Tony McMahon, Dave Kitson and Neil Blackman all scored as the Blades cruised past Oxford United.

But despite insisting that promotion from League One is the priority, Wilson did not underestimate the benefit of a good cup run.

“The priority for us is the league” said Wilson “but it does no harm to have a cup run like this. We can now sit back on Sunday and hope that we have a great draw and not have to deal with the disappointment of losing what could have been a potential banana skin.”

Despite the loss, Oxford boss Chris Wilder insisted that his side’s performance was better than the scoreline suggested.

“We pushed them all the way” Wilder said. “People will look at the papers and think that it was comfortable for them, but hopefully Sheffield United will feel that they have been tested today.”

There was one league and 35 places separating these sides going into the match. And it was the League Two side that had the first efforts on goal. Peter Leven and Simon Heslop both shooting over from distance.

The visitors were dealt a blow on 12 minutes when defender Matt Hill was forced off following a collision of heads with Oxford captain Jake Wright.

On 17 minutes, Wright fouled Blades debutant Jamie Murphy 20 yards from goal. From the resulting free-kick, Tony McMahon left U’s keeper Ryan Clarke stranded to put the League One side ahead.

Oxford’s only response in the first half was when Tom Craddock forced a good save from George Long at his near post.

The U’s then had a glorious chance to equalise on 54 minutes when Craddock’s header found Justin Richards in acres of space. But the Burton loanee, starting his second spell at the club, scuffed his shot wide.

The Blades eventually did double their lead on 68 minutes. Ryan Flynn’s free-kick was headed across goal by Nick Blackman leaving Dave Kitson with the easiest of tap-ins.

And Blackman ensured the Blades’ spot in round four, firing into the top corner from the edge of the area to round off an excellent performance.

After the match, Wilson admitted that it did not feel like there was a division separating the two sides.

“You never go into games like this thinking that it’s going to be easy” said Wilson. “You never think that mistakes won’t be made and that is possibly what lower league teams hope for. But there were very few mistakes in our game today.”

Westley believes Preston will be a force to be reckoned with in the New Year

Preston manager Graham Westley is expecting his side to push for promotion in the second half of the season after watching his side draw at Coventry.

The former Stevenage manager saw his side come from a goal down against Coventry to rescue a point. Lee Holmes scored the equaliser thirteen minutes from time after James Bailey gave Coventry a first half lead.

“I’m expecting us to get a lot stronger in the second half of the season” said Westley. “Inevitably there’s been lessons that we’ve had to learn, players have had to learn what I want them to learn and we’ve made silly mistakes which is inevitable. But we will be some force in the second half of the season.”

Both sides struggled to get into the game on the slippery surface but it was Coventry who went ahead on 22 minutes. Gary McSheffrey’s cross found James Bailey in the area. The Derby County loanee fired past Thorsten Stuckmann to score his first goal for the club.

Preston could have equalised when Lee Holmes’ cross found Andy Procter, but the former Accrington player completely misjudged his header.

David Amoo had an even better chance to score just before half time, hitting the top of the bar when put through on goal.

The visitors were restricted to long range shots for much of the second half.

But their persistence was rewarded with 13 minutes to go. Keeper Stuckmann’s clearance was completely missed by the Coventry defence, allowing Lee Holmes to run clear and fire past Murphy.

Westley praised his side for the way they came out in the second half. “The team made the decision at half time that they were going to do a little bit extra to create victory” said Westley. “We played with intensity in our defending and attacking. There was a sense of real quality and purpose to our play. I thought the goal was an example of all of those things.”

Jack King nearly grabbed all three points for Preston, but his header from David Buchanan’s cross went narrowly wide.

Coventry then missed a glorious chance when Stuckmann completely missed Carl Baker’s cross, but substitute Stephen Elliott headed wide. Neither side could find the winner as the match ended all square.

Coventry manager Mark Robins admitted that his side were second best in the second half:

“They proved in the second half just how good they can be” Robins said. “They gave our defence all sorts of trouble and with the momentum they were showing, they could have taken all three points.

“We’ll take the point but we were a little bit off the pace and off the standard we’ve set for the past few weeks.”