Oxford United needs you - that's the rallying cry to the whole city from Jim Smith today ahead of Saturday's crunch match to decide the club's Football League future.

Mr Smith, United's most successful manager, believes his team has what it takes to survive the final day relegation battle but the full backing of the supporters is a must.

United must win their last match of the season at home to promotion chasers Leyton Orient. Defeat or a draw means they will lose their Football League status and drop out of Coca Cola League Two into the Nationwide Conference, a lesser league which includes a mix of professional and semi- professional sides.

Mr Smith, who led United to the top flight in 1985, said: "It is vital the fans get behind us. They must do their bit and we'll do ours.

"There's no doubt it will help the players. We need them to be patient, but they must get behind us for the whole 90 minutes. If they can encourage the boys and spur them on then we can get the result everyone wants.

"Of course it's a big game for United, but it's a big game for Leyton Orient too."

Mr Smith, known as The Bald Eagle, took over as manager of United six weeks ago after businessman Nick Merry bought the club from Firoz Kassam.

His arrival delighted from fans who remember the success he brought during his time as manager two decades ago, but United's last few results have seen them slip into the relegation zone.

Fans are already suffering sleepless nights in the run-up to the final game of the season.

Helen Masters, 27, of Greater Leys, who has two tickets for the match, said: "I feel sick as a pig at the thought of the game, but they've just got to do enough to win."

Student Mark Sennett, 21, from North Oxford, said: "We've got a great chance with a full house. If we don't, then the league table doesn't lie. It means we haven't been good enough."

* The Oxford Mail is nailing its colours to its masthead and showing its support for the U's by turning its front page titlepiece yellow and blue until Monday.