Thousands of football fans poured into the Kassam Stadium to watch one of the most crucial games in Oxford United's history.

Amid a sea of yellow, there was hope as well as nerves among United followers as the kick-off approached.

United fan Nigel Bayston was feeling nervous but positive about the game.

The 49-year-old from Swindon said: "As long as we get through, I don't mind what the score is."

Stuart Perkins, 12, of Marston, Oxford, said: "The atmosphere is brilliant. I try and come and watch Oxford play as much as I can I really hope we get through."

His mother, Lynden Guiver, 52, said: "We've been supporting the U's for 40 years. I feel nervous but really excited and we are all behind them."

Paul Roast had travelled from Colchester to watch the match.

The Leyton Orient fan said he wanted his team to win, but admitted: "If Oxford go down, I will be sad about it."

Another Orient fan, Jake Short, from Essex, said: "We need to win to go up, but we also don't want to see Oxford go out."

It had been the game that every fan wanted to watch and many fans had arrived early to make sure traffic hold-ups did not delay them getting to the ground.

The stadium car park was jam-packed with fans desperate to find a space.

Traffic to and from the stadium was slow, with all the routes into Blackbird Leys proving busier than usual.

Trade at the food stalls was also brisk, with long queues all around the ground.