Oxford came away resolutely empty handed after a comprehensive defeat to early season pace setters, Crawley Town. The U's got off to the worst possible start when Tyrone Barnett fired home from 25 yards out. The same man made it two when heading home at the far post from a free kick. United made an early change, Deane Smalley coming on for youngster Danny Philliskirk and it made a difference with Oxford making more of an impact. The game came alive when James Constable did well to profit from a mix up in the Crawley defence and made it 2-1. Just as United looked like making a game of it, Town made it 3-1 on the stroke of half time, Ryan Clarke making a rare error and allowing the ball to sneak in at his near post. The home side made it 4 in the second half when Howell converted a wide free-kick.

Final Score - Crawley Town 4 - 1 OXFORD UNITED