These really are extraordinary times for Oxford United.

After the soul-destroying Firoz Kassam era, we now have a new owner and manager who have the club in their blood, a fine set of fans and the best stadium in the lower divisions.

Everything is looking rosy except for one crucial thing.

Defeat at the hands of Northampton Town on Saturday left the club staring at relegation into the non-league wilderness and with time fast running out to turn things around.

It would be cruel and unfair on all those who stuck with the club through the dark days if that were to happen and ironic too that the return of legendary manager Jim Smith should coincide with the grimmest hour in the club's history.

If there's any justice, it will not happen. But football can be a brutal game at times and even the most blinkered of fans would hesitate to bet on the U's staying up.

There's still time for the team to pull out of their nosedive, but not much.

The fat lady is about to burst into song let us pray that it is not a lament for Oxford United.