Oxford United's interest in the LDV Vans Trophy lasted, as it often has in recent years, for just 90 minutes as they bowed out in the first round at Sixfields Stadium last night.

Two goals near the end of the first half gave second division Northampton what in the end proved a comfortable victory.

Although United fought gamely to get back into the match in the second half, they had few real chances, leaving their near-500-strong travelling support disappointed and increasingly alarmed.

What a week ago had been a run of four games without defeat has now become five games without a win.

United have felt hard done by in recent weeks but they could have few complaints as they conceded two goals in the final 11 minutes of the first half.

Jamie Forrester's excellent attacking run set up the Cobblers' opening goal on 34 minutes.

Keeping the ball close to his feet, he cut inside from the right, past Phil Bolland, and with United defenders converging on him, he slipped a deft pass to James Hunt, who chipped over the out-rushing Ian McCaldon.

Hunt, running in from deep, had not been tracked by Dean Whitehead, and it proved costly.

Nevertheless, it was a well-made goal, and the type which United have struggled to score themselves this season.

Manny Omoyinmi had carved out a glorious opportunity for himself just a few seconds earlier.

A skilful touch took him past one Northampton defender but, just when everyone thought he would shoot, a shocking second touch caused him to lose possession.

It was another example of United's lack of ruthlessness in front of goal.

Twice Scott Guyett had been unlucky with powerful headers. Once he directed his effort off target at a corner when he probably should have done better, and on a second occasion, from Sam Ricketts's deep cross, he climbed well only to see Keith Welch pull off a fine point-blank save.

Northampton showed how it should be done in injury time at the end of the first half.

McCaldon conceded a corner by miskicking Whitehead's over-hit backpass, and when John Frain hit the flag kick deep, Paul McGregor headed it powerfully into the net.

It was all becoming hard to bear for the 476 United supporters in the gate of 2,640 - a surprisingly big crowd for this competition.

They must have been encouraged that Mark Wright was able to put out a strong side. Paul Moody was rested because of a knock, and Martin Thomas was dropped to the bench as United's manager gave Rob Folland a chance on the left of midfield, and Jamie Brooks a run-out up front.

Dave Savage was booked for kicking the ball away on his return to his former club, but he showed his desire by making a brilliant challenge on Derek Asamoah in the closing minutes to stop the substitute making it 3-0.

A 50-yard run by centre back Bolland had lifted the visitors at the start of the second half and they looked more sprightly following the introductions of Paul Powell and then Chris Hackett, who came on for his first appearance of the season.

Hackett almost found the net with a backheader from an Omoyinmi corner.

But overall, it was a flat performance from United, and several of their players are looking tired.

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