Loan striker Ashley Barnes was left out of United's 16-man squad against Crawley, but that doesn't mean he's played his last game for the U's.

Said Darren Patterson: "Ashley is only a kid, he's 18 years of age. he's rough, he's raw.

"I just feel that the boy Matt Green getting injured early on really hurt us because they were good mates and travelled in together.

"And he's one of those kids that when things aren't going for him, he over-tries. And when that happens, nothing's happening for him.

"We just felt it was better to pull him out, have a little chat, and work on the training ground with him.

"But it's not an end to his Oxford United career."

Who says there isn't a north-south divide in this country?

There is in the Blue Square Premier, where the top 11 teams are mainly southern, and the bottom six are mainly northern!

Former Oxford United player Billy Jeffrey quit as manager of Rugby Town last week after a breakdown in his relationship with the club's board of directors.

Rugby finished in 15th and 17th place in the BGB Premier Division in Jeffrey's two full seasons in charge and are mid-table this term.

Meanwhile, another ex-U's player, Dave Leworthy, has taken over the hot seat at Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Premier strugglers Banstead Athletic.