[Exile on Spencer St]

Can't disagree with either Davo's (!) summary of Chubby's (!!) rallying call.

The Stanley back line were pressing higher than Simon Cowell's trousers, and bottled Oxford up in their own half for a good 35 minutes, with their own fans booing their constant back-passing to the goalie. Proccy was gobbling up their long balls before the even reached their forwards, and every Stanley player was harrying and pressing their opponents. 1-1 was looking good and optimism abounded.
Then 'pop', the bubble burst.
Awful kicked clearance from Jo(anna) and instantly punished, although Mr. Lumley at least made up for it with some good saves later on.
Buxton, who had been one of Stanley's strongest performers and created our goal, got a boot (left trailing by their right back, I suggest) in the face. By the way, although this incident, as with the late penalty shout on Windass, occurred directly in front of the linesman, I don't think the official should be criticised; I thought he did very well for a man who left his guide dog at home.
Then Gray got precisely what could have been predicted from an inexperienced and inconsistent ref for his misplaced aggression. I don't know how players prepare for games but I read on the Fishy site that the ref had controlled 6 games and issued 3 red cards and 16 yellows. 'Hang on', one might have expected a player to think, 'that's a 50% chance of getting a red with this guy!'. But it was hand-bags on the touchline, with the same full back who'd clocked Rhino, and off trots Mr.Gray to leave his team mates with a whiole different game to play.
After the break Oxford looked to me like they'd brought on an extra player, and played across the entire width of the pitch with space to spare. We made them look good, although, despite all their possession, Stanley were holding out at 2-1.
But then came Captain Joyce's early Xmess present of the third goal. It was beyond awful, and the straw that broke the back of Stanley's three-legged camel.

But, amazingly, a look at the table and things don't seem quite as catastrophic as last night's outcome, although I am not looking forward to a trip Northampton (one of my tips for automatic promotion this year).

Jings, who'd want to be a manager in League 2?

P.S. Night was not all gloom; it was good to meet Davo and catch up with Revived Red, F19, Chubby and many other good folks.