Oxford United 2,York City 0

OXFORD United's hopes of reaching the play-offs were dashed in the cruellest manner imaginable at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday.

Two well-taken goals by Steve Basham looked as though they might be enough to take the U's into the play-offs, with Lincoln losing at home to Torquay and time running out.

Oxford's players, having heard a big cheer from the home fans in the first half and then another at the start of the second, even thought Lincoln might be 2-0 down.

The crowd had been reacting to the news of Torquay getting a penalty. And their subsequent disappointment at the penalty being saved was far less audible.

But with four minutes to go at Sincil Bank, substitute Simon Yeo grabbed an equaliser, and a season's hard work from the Oxford United players had counted for nothing. There was a great irony in the fact that this was one of the best home performances of the season, and also in Basham's brilliant strikes, because it has been the home form, and the lack of goals from the strikers at the Kassam Stadium, which has ultimately cost them promotion.

These were the former Preston striker's first goals since January, when the whole issue of out-of-contract players not being offered new deals first surfaced.

Some supporters have been openly critical of boss Ian Atkins for not playing midfielder Dean Whitehead more often, and on this display, as with many others from him this season, they had a point.

Whitehead gave the side much-needed energy and drive, and his dead-ball delivery from corners and free-kicks was top class.

It was Whitehead's burst along the right which brought United a free-kick in the third minute.

The 21-year-old from Abingdon, voted young player of the year, whipped the free-kick in to the near post and Basham escaped his marker to volley in on the turn. Andy Scott headed narrowly wide from a right-wing centre by Scott McNiven moments later as the home team threatened again.

Scott then pounced on a weak backpass to the keeper, but scuffed his shot well wide when he might have tried to advance and take the keeper on.

As Oxford enjoyed a purple spell against a York side trying to understand what they should be doing as they played 4-4-2 for the first time this season, Basham shot horribly across the face of the goal from a great position.

York had two loan players in attack as manager Terry Dolan tried out his younger players. Andy Woodman had to tip over a cross-cum-shot from Anthony Shandran, but striking partner Keith Graydon, from Sunderland, looked out of his depth. On 31 minutes, with not a lot happening on the pitch, the Oxford Mail Stand erupted. Those fans listening to their radios had heard that Martin Gritton had put Torquay in front.

The United players knew immediately and there was an extra spring in their step.

Just before the break, a great tackle by Whitehead on the edge of his box, set up an end-to-end attack. Bobby Ford carried the ball on and released Scott through the inside left channel, but he wastefully ballooned his 20-yard shot high over the bar.

Early in the second half there was another great roar from the crowd, but it was the false alarm over Torquay's penalty.

Oxford continued to dominate. Ford fed Basham and only a strong challenge by Jon Parkin put him off his shot. Moments later, at the other end, the big, hefty Parkin headed over from four yards at a free-kick by Christian Fox.

Basham struck his second goal on 63 minutes and again it was a beauty.

Matt Robinson got round the back of the York defence, centred beautfully and Basham scored with a flying header.

York brought on former U's forward Lee Nogan late on and he tested Woodman with a sharp turn and shot.

But Whitehead went equally close after a slick build-up involving sub David Oldfield and Scott, racing 50 yards with the ball only to have his drive saved.

And then, four minutes from the end, as the noise became defeaning at Sincil Bank, it all went quiet around the KasStad . . .