United's impressive end to the season continued this afternoon as they won at a canter against Stafford to ensure that they will have home advantage in the second leg of the play-off semi final.

With United already confirmed in the play-offs, Jim Smith made changes to the side that beat St Albans last week.Andy Burgess, Martin Foster and Rob Duffy all returned to the starting eleven.Danny Rose was rested whilst player of the year Yemi Odubade dropped to the bench.

United started well and looked like a team who knew they were going to be involved in the post-season. They were playing the ball on the ground and were looking full of confidence. It showed when Carl Pettefer hit a shot over the bar in the 11^th minute and then Chris Zebroski was inches away from getting on the end of a 13^th minute corner as United started to push the visitors back.

The pressure almost paid off a minute later when United should have taken the lead.Great skill from Luke Foster on the edge of the box left two defenders for dead, but with only the keeper to beat, he dragged his shot just wide of the post from eight yards.

The Yellows were given a warning when Ged Murphy forced a decent save from Turley in the 20^th minute and then from the resulting corner the big keeper won a foot-race with Guy Madjo. Although to be fair, Turley probably had a five yard start!

Stafford were proving difficult to break down and were playing like a team who were fighting for the points to carry them away from the relegation mix at the foot off the table.

However, referee Fletcher was also causing problems for both teamswith a series of pedantic decisions that was spoiling the flow of the game on a lovely sunny Saturday afternoon.

After a spell of pressure from the visitors, Oxford were again starting to get the upper-hand. Rob Duffy was denied by a last minute tackle in the 33^rd minute when he looked certain to score from six yards, but United didn't have to wait long as in the 40^th minute, they took the lead.

Quinn played a long ball forward towards Martin Foster who was tugged back right on the edge of the box by Wayne Daniel.It was a decision that stumped many in the ground as the United player appeared to be at least two yards inside the box.No matter though, as any thoughts that the linesman had bailed out Stafford proved incorrect as United scored the opening goal from the free-kick.Skipper Quinn strode purposely up to the ball, scuffed it off the wall where Luke Foster hammered in a low cross/shot back across goal which left Zebroksi the easiest of tap-ins from a yard.

It was Zebroski's second goal in successive home games, and no more than United deserved after dominating proceedings. Stafford had rarely threatened, and when Madjo did break through on 53 minutes his shot went out for a thrown in, proving that you really can't get the Staffs these days. I thank you.

With Luke Foster just as impressive at centre half as he'd been at wing back and Jim Smith looking at different options at the back United were rock solid, and when they went forward they always had that little bit of class. That was best illustrated on the hour as a few seconds of Andy Burgess magic paid a huge part in sealing the game and that home second leg for the play-offs. Receiving the ball wide on the left and with Richard Sutton in front of him Burgess double back flip lollipopped (© Ron Atkinson) the ball and crossed low and hard, where defender Wayne Daniel was so bemused by it all that he took the easiest option and knocked the ball into his own goal to make it 2-0 and game all but over.

There was still time for the novelty of playing against an outfield player in goal for the final quarter, with former Cheltenham striker Neil Grayson having to put on the gloves when regular keeper Robert Duggan succumbed to a shoulder injury sustained in the first half. Inevitably he then made a decent save to deny Zebroski from six yards out!

Stafford had fought hard but come up short, and the last thing they will have wanted for the last fifteen minutes was the pace of Odubade to deal with, and within seconds of coming on for the limping Duffy Yemi had caused panic with a breakaway. Mind you he really should have done better on 80 minutes as he ran free onto a fine Burgess pass but couldn't beat the rush keeper as Grayson got down to his right to smother his shot.

No matter, job done and United are in fine shape as we come to the business end of the season. The defence is mean, the midfield are hungry and the goals are starting to come. It will be  an interesting afternoon at York next Saturday because the Minstermen are in a hell of a scrap for the play off places, but for United the battle will come in the games to follow that...

Report Chris Williams and Julian Hitchman, pics Steve Daniels