Saturday saw eleven Blue Square Premier fixtures take place, while Chester's on-going financial difficulties saw their derby fixture with Wrexham called off.
Two of the top three sides fell to defeats, allowing Oxford to return to the automatic promotion spot. Their 2-0 win against Histon was made easier following Adam Bygrave's first half dismissal for dissent and second half goals saw Chris Wilder's side go above Stevenage on goal difference.
Stevenage fell to a 1-0 loss at Rushden and Diamonds, whose 88th minute winner came from Rob Wolleaston. York fell to four points off top spot after going down 1-0 at Ebbsfleet United, themselves now seven points above the drop after greatly improved recent results. The division's leading scorer Richard Brodie was also sent off for dangerous play on Dean Pooley.
Rushden's win moves them to fourth, while Luton hold the final playoff spot after an early goal gave them a 1-0 win at Eastbourne. Mansfield are the closest challengers after three first half goals set up a 4-2 win at Tamworth, with Kettering and Wimbledon still in the hunt after a 2-0 win at ten-man Barrow for The Poppies and a 2-2 draw at ten-man Cambridge United for The Dons.
At the bottom of the league, none of the bottom six picked up points. Chester were not in action, Grays fell to yet another defeat after going down 2-0 at home to Salisbury, Gateshead surrendered a half time lead to lose 3-2 at Hayes and Yeading, while Forest Green succumbed to an injury time loss at Kidderminster.
Barrow and Eastbourne hold the two places immediately above the drop after their home losses to Kettering and Luton respectively. Action elsewhere saw Charles Ademeno hit the only goal in Crawley's home win against Altrincham.
Five Blue Square Premier fixtures take place on Tuesday night, including two in which top five sides face each other. Oxford host Rushden and Luton travel to York, ahead of more league action and the FA Trophy Quarter Finals on Saturday.
Matt Ramsay
