Oxford United 0 Lincoln City 1

Last updated : 18 October 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Lincoln City made it seven games without defeat following a much more comprehensive victory than the 1-0 scoreline away at Oxford United suggests.

They had four goals disallowed in the first half and only some great saves by Oxford keeper Chris Tardif prevented them from winning by a much bigger margin.

Francis Green struck the winner just before half-time when he ran through the centre of Oxford's defence unchallenged and fired home a right-footed shot.

Simon Yeo will be wondering how he failed to score when he had two goals ruled out for offside in the first 15 minutes and had another shot well saved by Tardif's foot.

Oxford boss Graham Rix had given his team's fans what they wanted by playing Steve Basham alongside Tommy Mooney in attack, but they failed to find the net.

Lincoln had the third goal disallowed for a foul by Ben Futcher and Yeo fired over the bar with the home defence all at sea.

Oxford improved in the second half and centre back Leo Roget almost equalised with a downward header from Chris Hackett's free-kick which goalkeeper Alan Marriott turned round the post for a corner.

But Lincoln had plenty of chances to extend their lead and full-back Kevin Sandwith struck the bar from a fully 30 yards.

Tardif made a sensational double stop from Yeo when the striker was just three yards out and, when Martin Carruthers put the ball in the net only to see the referee disallow it for the fourth time following a foul by Futcher, Oxford were thinking it was their lucky day.

Rix sent on Mark Rawle in the second half and, although he added some urgency, they still looked disorganised and shapeless.

Tardif made another fine save from Green after he was put in by Yeo, but he could not prevent Oxford from slipping to a third successive home defeat and a fourth defeat in a row.