Oxford United face a possible FA probe after crowd trouble marred their 1-0 win at Macclesfield on Saturday, writes Jon Murray.

The Football Association are likely to want to study York referee Matt Messias's report into the FA Cup first-round tie.

The match was held up for more than five minutes after United fans behind the goal at the Moss Lane end of the ground pushed forward and pulled the netting away from the crossbar.

Only the intervention of around a dozen stewards and police officers ended the trouble, and at least one United fan was arrested.

Fans behind both goals at the tiny Moss Rose ground are very close to the playing surface and the standing visiting supporters are able to reach out and touch the goal.

And when Phil Gray scored after 58 minutes to put Oxford ahead, many surged forward in celebration and the netting came away from the goal.

The ref's attention was drawn to the damage by his assistant, and instant repairs were carried out by the groundsman, getting a lift-up on the shoulders of a Macclesfield player.

But trouble came when Macclesfield were awarded a penalty two minutes from time. United fans, many of whom looked to be very young, pushed forward again and tugged at the netting, again pulling it away from the goal frame.

Stewards and police raced over to intervene and the ref held up the match for further repairs.

After a lengthy delay, Macclesfield's former Nottingham Forest striker Lee Glover took the penalty, but goalkeeper Richard Knight saved with his legs.

Macclesfield manager Peter Davenport refused to blame the crowd disturbance for the penalty miss. He said: "It had happened once before in the game. We have people behind the goal and they shouldn't have let it happen.

"It probably unnerved Glover but, to his credit, he's held his hands up to his own mistake."

It was sad that the behaviour of some Oxford fans should overshadow the victory because Dave Kemp's team put in another thoroughly professional display.

"We kept a clean sheet, which I'm pleased about, and we got our goal," Kemp said.

"In three games since I've been here, we've now conceded one, one and zero and with that, you give yourself a chance to stay in the game. Fortunately today, we kept a clean sheet and Gray's goal was good enough to win it.

"That's what you get with a quality striker. You know that when the chances come, you're confident he's going to take them."

It was the second match running that Kemp had not used any of his substitutes, and he said: "It's a new-shape team and I want the players to bed in and know their job, so, when I do make changes, it's easier for them to slip in.

"If I make three changes to the side, plus any other change, the wheels are going to come off. We're trying to keep it so that it's all nice and disciplined, and when somebody does get the opportunity to come on to the pitch, they're going to know their job like Lee Jarman did today.

Jarman said: "The lads are starting to put together some performances now and we're winning, that's the main thing.

"In the second half, we had a couple of break-outs where there was a lot of space at the back of their defence.

"Phil took his goal well, it was a good build-up with Derek and Murphs, and it was a good finish in the end.

"The fans got hyped up nut that's what happens at these smaller league grounds the crowd is right upon you.

"It was a good penalty stop from Richard. Andy Linighan and I were on the edge of the box saying we think he's going to go straight. He did go straight, but Knighty's got his legs in the way and it was a good save."

**United had no luck on their side as they were drawn away to Chester City or Plymouth Argyle in the second round of the FA Cup on December 9. The sides drew 1-1 at Chester on Saturday.

It is the fourth time running in the FA Cup that the U's have been drawn away, after Shrewsbury, Nottingham Forest and Macclesfield.

But if Plymouth win the first-round replay at Home Park on November 28, it will be a return to his old club for Kemp.

Out-of-luck United were also drawn away, to fellow second division club Brentford, in the first round of the LDV Van Trophy (formerly the Auto Windscreens Shield) on Tuesday, December 5.

They were knocked out of the competition at Griffin Park last season.