OXFORD United's management are desperately hoping that the gloom from yesterday's High Court decision does not transmit to the team who have a vital home game against Notts County today in their bid to beat relegation, writes JON MURRAY.

"It's a big blow," admitted manager Denis Smith. "We'd been expecting some positive news at last to be able to plan ahead, but we just can't move forward.

Smith has given a vote of confidence to striker Nigel Jemson, who has yet to score in his first nine games for the club since rejoining them from Ayr United.

"To be fair to Nigel, he's never been a prolific 20-goal a season striker, apart from that one year when he was on fire for us. But he's important in our team, he's the link-up man," said Smith.

The manager withdrew Jemson just nine minutes into the second half at Preston, where United lost 3-1.

But he explained: "He started the game with bruised ribs and he got a kick in the small of his back after five minutes, which was why he was struggling."

Story date: Saturday 18 March

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