Tactical substitutions did the trick as Oxfordshire Under 16s won 2-0 away to Lincolnshire in the East Midlands Youth Combination.

In a goalless first half where Oxon were second best to the ball, they were thankful that the home side's excellent approach work did not result in many chances.

Oxon's only chance of the half came when Paul Wilson's shot was saved on the line.

After making two substitutions for the second half, Oxon took charge. A left-foot shot from Nick Kovaritakis took a deflection and looped over the keeper on 52 minutes.

Oxon were now in the driving seat with Ryan, Organ, Bayliss and Baker dictating matters in midfield.

The Oxon keeper Ben Banks had to make a brilliant save to preserve Oxon's lead.

However, a second goal on 75 minutes decided the match. Anthony Henry was upended in the box and Daniel Tomkins converted the penalty.

Banks had to make another important stop in the dying seconds.

*Ardley were careful to avoid booting the ball out of play when they played their Elsevier Youth League match at home to Buckingham Athletic on Sunday.

The farmer, whose fields adjoin Ardley's ground, gave permission for the game to go-ahead, despite the foot and mouth crisis.

However, if a ball went on to the grazing fields where there were 1,000 head of sheep, it was to be left there. Both teams obliged - not one ball went over.

In a game dominated by defences, Buckingham scored the winner in the seventh minute through Pucci.

Florence Park stormed back from 2-0 down at half-time to win 3-2 at Milton. Goals by Neil Cheshire and Cai Buckle looked to have put Milton in command. But Park's Adam Smith hit a great hat-trick to give his side the points.