Oxford United have chosen not to erect a temporary fourth stand for the home second leg of the play-off semi-finals.

After investigating the logistics and costs, they have decided it is not really viable.

"We looked into it very thoroughly, but after considering the size of the stand, the fencing around it, proper turnstiles, toilets and refreshments, we have found that the cost would be considerably more than the revenue generated - and that's assuming we could have sold it out in its entirety," said secretary Mick Brown.

The hope was that, by putting up a temporary new stand for the visitors behind the goal at the car park end at the Kassam Stadium, it would free up the whole of the North Stand for Oxford fans, and give them around 12,500 supporters at the game.

But competition rules determine that they have to give the opponents ten per cent of the capacity, which would necessitate the temporary stand being approximately 1,400 seats.

And tickets for the away team could not be sold at a higher price than those for the home fans.

"We looked at the maths and it just doesn't stack up," Brown said.

The directors are likely to give a more detailed explanation of their findings at the fans' forum on Thursday.

THE first leg of the semi-final is almost certain to be all-ticket, with United season-ticket holders getting first opportuntity to buy a ticket.