Oxford United boss Malcolm Shotton will not be applying for the manager's job at his old club Barnsley.

The Oakwell club sacked player-manager John Hendrie on Monday following a poor run of results and will be advertising in national newspapers for a successor.

But Shotton, who was reserve team manager at Barnsley under Danny Wilson before being appointed Oxford United boss 15 months ago, is not interested in going back.

Four months ago, it might have been different, he hinted, because there were then grave doubts about whether Oxford United would survive.

But now Shotton is committed to staying at the Manor Ground and evidence of that commitment comes from moving his family down from Yorkshire. He spent last Sunday looking at houses in the Oxford area.

"I'm not going to apply." he said. "With the people of Oxford backing Mr Kassam and the council, things are looking a lot brighter for this football club.

"I want to be a success as a manager and hopefully we'll be a success at Oxford. All the fans know what a terribly difficult season we've had, but if Mr Kassam stays on and the stadium is built, there's a real future for this club." Meanwhile, former Oxford City and Abingdon Town striker Howard Forinton did United a favour by scoring the only goal as Birmingham beat relegation-threatened QPR at St Andrew's last night.

Substitute Forinton's first goal since joining the Blues for £70,000 from Yeovil two seasons ago, came five minutes from time.

Birmingham boss Trevor Francis said: "Howard has been a consistent scorer in the reserves this season and he took his opportunity well."

Former Manor favourite Jim Magilton fired Ipswich a step closer to the Premiership as they overcame Stockport 1-0 at Portman Road.

GOALKEEPER Paul Reece and David Stevens, the former Crystal Palace striker now at Dulwich Hamlet, are expected to be in the United Reserves team to face Colchester Res at the Manor tonight (7.30).

Story date: Wednesday 21 April

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