Luke Foster has been given a two-game ban for reaching ten yellow cards after he was booked during Oxford United's 3-2 defeat at Torquay on Tuesday night.

But the central defender will be avalable for United's home game against Farsley Celtic on Saturday.

Suspensions under the totting-up procedure start seven days after the offence, so he will now miss Oxford's Bue Square Premier games at York and Woking.

Foster has only just returned from a one-game suspension for receiving a red card in the 1-0 home defeat by Northwich Victoria on March 29.

Tomorrow is Oxford United's last Saturday home game of the season.

It will seem very strange to have the final home game on a Tuesday night, April 22, when they take on Rushden.

It's another example of the mess the Conference has got into this season with its fixtures.

The last home game is traditionally a time to celebrate or commiserate after nine months' hard work, a time to salute the winners of the player of the year awards, and in the past some fans have joined in the fun by wearing fancy dress.

Although it will still be light at kick-off time, it will feel odd to have the home campaign finish in darkness.

United's final game of the campaign, away at Ebbsfleet United on April 26, now has a changed kick-off time.

The league have moved all matches that afternoon to 5.15pm kick-offs for the benefit of satellite TV station Setanta, who will show one of the key games live.

It seems ridiculously short notice, just over two weeks, and fans who have already made plans for that Saturday night now have to change them, or miss the game.

Farsley Celtic are embroiled in a real relegation dogfight, so United can expect another competitive contest. But they did a professional job at Weymouth, and will need something similar.

Darren Patterson was very frustrated as the U's let slip their early lead at Torquay on Tuesday and ended up losing a game, in which they were seldom second best.

It was the night that Oxford's fate was sealed because it is now mathematically impossible for them to reach the play-offs - although it was back in December that they were effectively written off.

Patterson said afterwards: "We've come here with endeavour and our passing second half was excellent. It was just three silly mistakes which cost us dearly.

"That's why we say 'keep grinding things out, and do the basics well'.

"How many times have we played the top sides and played well, but come away with nothing? That tells a story.

"We dealt with all Torquay's height and all their set plays.

"You can see the basics are there - the organisation, the work ethic, good passing second half.

"I thought after the goal we got sucked in a bit and were too direct for the last 20 minutes of the first half, and then conceded a really sloppy, easy goal.

"The lad sprinted past Craig McAllister instead of showing to back him up, but if that's the case you just keep hold of the ball.

"It ricocheted three times, hit somebody and went into the back of the net. But that happens when you're mid-table.

"Torquay did nothing really to hurt us, they just kept grinding things out, kept putting the ball in the box, and in fairness their two centre forwards are a handful at this level."

Tim Sills and Lee Phillips caused problems, and so too did Chris Zebroski, whose pace and skill was too much for Matt Day.

Zebroski's brace took his tally to 16 goals - from left wing.

And he's a player Oxford are rueing letting out of their sights.

"Yes, of course there's some regret that he didn't stay with us. He's got 16 goals - that's double our top scorer - and that's from out wide."