Nigel Clough believes Oxford United are looking so strong in the Nationwide Conference, the title battle is becoming a one-horse race.

The Burton Albion boss has seen his team climb from the bottom half to ninth on a six-game unbeaten run.

Indeed, Burton's form is second only to Oxford's and they are only two points off the play-off places.

And Clough feels it's only through the play-offs that other clubs can hope to reach League Two.

"It's the closest we have been, two points off at this stage," he said.

"Oxford are potentially going to run away with it. It's a bit sad that at the end of September we are talking about second, third and fourth."

Such comments are unlikely to have much sway with United manager Jim Smith, who knows anything can happen with 35 games left!

The U's boss hopes to have skipper Phil Gilchrist back from his Achilles injury to face third-placed York City tomorrow, but there's a doubt over left wingback Rufus Brevett, who has an ankle injury.

United, looking to extend their unbeaten start to the season to 12 games, have an opportunity to extend their lead at the top with successive home games over the next few days, Southport the visitors next Tuesday following on from York.

Second-placed Dagenham & Redbridge, two points behind Oxford, have back-to-back away games at Gravesend and Stafford.

Victory over York tomorrow could give Smith a second successive manager-of-the-month award - and this time exclusively.

The U's have so far won four and drawn one in the month of September, the best record in the Conference.

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