So it was not to be. All the hopes expressed last week that Oxford United would survive to fight another season in the Football League evaporated at 4.50pm on Saturday afternoon.

No-one could fault the effort put in by the players, who scored two goals and gave their all against one of the best teams in League Two.

But poor performances earlier in the season had left United with a mountain to climb and it proved too much, even with the backing of so many passionate supporters.

If only the team had performed like that in one or two of the nine home games they lost. It would have made all the difference.

Understandably, there were many tears at the Kassam Stadium as the club lost their Football League place after 44 years.

Make no mistake about it, relegation was the final legacy of the Firoz Kassam era. The blame rests squarely with the former owner and chairman.

But there is no point dwelling on the past. Only the future matters.

There is no appeal against relegation United finished second from bottom in the table because they didn't win enough matches and gain enough points. It is as simple as that.

Saturday's defeat should be seen as the springboard from which the club will bounce back.

They are at their lowest point. Now there is only one way to go and that is up.

A season in the Conference will give United the chance to take stock, rebuild and start afresh.

In Nick Merry and Jim Smith, the club have two men who have Oxford United at heart.

Sadly, they arrived too late on the scene, after the takeover from Mr Kassam, to reverse the downward spiral this season, but you can rely on them to do their utmost to restore the club's fortunes.

All we hope is that the supporters who so fervently cheered on the team on Saturday will stay with them.

A year hence, we look forward to reporting that United are Conference champions and heading back where they belong in the Football League.