County 2-1 Oxford

Peter Ward picked up just his second win as County boss with a dramatic triumph over play-off chasing Oxford United.

The first freezing cold forty-five minutes passed without incident at Edgeley Park in front of 4199, a truly woeful portion of football.

Ex-County player Anthony Tonkin picked up a silly booking in the first half which would prove crucial in the outcome of the tie.

The visitors took the lead just after half-time through Tom Craddock and a suspiciously offside-looking goal.

He was played through by his strike partner James Constable, and slotted home underneath ‘keeper Ian McLoughlin, making his home debut on loan from Ipswich Town.

The opener was a dagger to the heart of the 3700 County fans and presumably Mike Newton, who was watching on from the Main Stand as his interest in buying the football club grows.

As United looked to close out the tie and condemn County to almost certain relegation, Tonkin failed to use his brain and got himself sent off for hauling down Matt Paterson, picking up a second yellow and reducing the away side to ten men.

It changed the game as Paterson himself grabbed the leveller, being played through by substitute Tom Fisher and hammering low past U’s keeper Clarke with just under 15 minutes to play.

With what COULD be a massive goal this season, Greg Tansey was introduced to the fray in the 89th minute in place of Mani Assoumani, and when the fourth official added on four minutes of stoppage time, Tansey struck.

With referee Mr Shoebridge holding the whistle to his lips and ready to blow for full-time, Tansey controlled a looping ball just outside the area and crashed it home past Clarke to send the Cheadle End mental.

It was literally the last kick of the match, and there’s fight in the old dog yet.

We now go to Accrington on Tuesday night before a massive six-pointer with Burton at EP on Saturday.

On a good day for The Hatters, results also went our way as Bradford, Burton and Macclesfield all lost.

Man of the Match – James Wallace. The Everton youngster possesses undoubted class. In a few years, the next Jack Rodwell for the Toffees.