COMFORTS We're in the driving seat says ex-United boss Horton Oxford United's relegation rivals and next opponents Port Vale reckon they're now in the box seat to beat the drop after they held Crewe to a goalless draw at the weekend and United crashed at home to Bury.

Brian Horton, Vale's former Oxford United manager, said: "I'm fairly happy with a point away from home against Crewe.

"It's still in our own hands and we couldn't have asked for any more than four of our last six games at home."

Vale, who escaped relegation in the final match of last season by winning 4-0 away to Huddersfield - who had nothing to play for - face three home games in a row, starting with Bradford tonight and followed by Oxford on Saturday and then Watford.

After their disastrous 1-0 home defeat by Bury, United's players, officials and supporters will be glued to the television and radio this evening, praying that Port Vale, Bristol City and Bury don't pull off surprise victories.

Bury take on league leaders Sunderland at Gigg Lane with Peter Reid's team able to clinch promotion if they win, while Bristol City travel to a Bolton side needing to return to form to stay in the play-off places. The Bury game is live on Sky.

Bury boss Neil Warnock claimed after Saturday's match at the Manor Ground that Malcolm Shotton's comments had motivated his team to get the win.

However, United midfielder Martin Gray responded: "The gaffer was right. Bury are the worst team in the league.

"The way they play football is terrible and I've never known a Neil Warnock team play any other way.

"But at the end of the day they do it well and they defend well. I just know it's not a team I'd like to play for."

The pressure is now on Oxford to get a result at Port Vale on Saturday and they will have a large following after the Oxford Mail, Thames Valley FM and United's new owner Firoz Kassam got together to offer fans free travel to the game on the London Road Club coaches.

While Oxford finish the season with a home game against mid-table Stockport, rivals Port Vale end with Bury away and Horton, like Shotton, believes the three relegation places will go right to the wire.

Other big games tonight for clubs near the foot of Division 1 are Grimsby v QPR and West Brom v Swindon.

Story date: Wednesday 14 April

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