Oxford University secured their first English League Division 1 victory of the season with a 1-0 home win over fellow strugglers Bromley.

The result lifts the Blues off the bottom of the table and out of the relegation zone.

The match was a typically scrappy relegation battle with Oxford University just coming out on top after a hard-contested 70 minutes.

The students took an 11th-minute lead as Ed Whitworth won a short corner down the left.

The set-piece move saw Dave Eadie's strike deflected by Paul Barker for England Under 21 international Tom Matthews to scoop over the Bromley keeper.

Mark Darbon just failed to reach a Matthews cross at the back post, and also went close with a mazy run before being tackled at the last.

Oxford's keeper Chris Andrews was forced into some good saves, standing up well to a firm strike from James Blower and blocking the angles well enough for Russell Beresford to push the ball wide of the right-hand post.

Just before half-time, Phil Atkinson was yellow-carded for pushing the ball away, but Oxford reorganised and held tight in defence.

After the break, Bromley were camped in Oxford's half for long periods, but heroic defending from skipper Eadie and man-of-the-match Ed Bevan ensured the three points.

University coach Terry Adby said: "That was probably the worst we've played all season but it was nthe result that mattered, and a 1-0 win is perfect." Oxford Hawks' 4-3 defeat at home to Sheffield suggests a tight and exciting game - but unfortunately it flatters to deceive.

Hawks will look back on the game as one of their worst since joining the National League. A win would have moved them up four places in the table and out of trouble, but this loss sees them still hovering around the danger zone.

Stupid mistakes and an almost total lack of discipline cost Hawks dearly.

Sheffield took the lead from the penalty spot in the third minute. A complete lapse in defence allowed Sheffield centre forward a clear run at goal and Fogden's despairing challenge led to a penalty from which Ward scored.

Hawks pulled level in the 11th minute after Dan Pech's run into the D resulted in the ball going into the Sheffield net off a defender's stick.

Pech created another chance for Hawks with a reverse stick shot in the 18th minute, but there was no-one able to pick up the rebound from the keeper's pads.

Sheffield restored their lead in the 20th minute from a penalty corner by Miles after some more poor defending by Hawks.

The Oxford outfit once again pulled level in the second minute of the second half when Ed Baldock followed up on a penalty corner strike to net at the near post.

From thereon it was downhill for Hawks and Miles restored Sheffield's lead in the 13th minute of the second half, and two minutes later it was 4-2 to Sheffield thanks to a simple tap-in goal for Smyllie.

Hawks had been somewhat puzzlingly been penalised by the umpire at the Sheffield end and Sheffield counter-attacked quickly, catching Hawks' defence napping leading to a simple tap-in goal for Smyllie.

Hawks did try to raise their game but could find no rhythm at all. Only a dubious penalty award in the last few seconds made the scoreline look respectable, with Dawson converting from the spot.

Story date: Tuesday 09 February

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