Grays Athletic

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Oxford Utd 4-1 Grays

Oxford United kept their play-off dreams alive after easing to victory against 10-man Grays Athletic at Kassam Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Grays have slipped further into relegation mire after this latest result and manager Gary Phillips will have further cause for concern after goalkeeper Rob Beckwith was rushed to hospital with a suspected broken cheekbone.

The hosts claimed the lead after just seven minutes when Adam Murray fired in a powerful free-kick from the left which was spilled by Grays goalkeeper Rob Beckwith, and Kevin Sandwith was first to the loose ball to tap home from close range.

The Blues tried to claw their way back into contention but were caught napping in the 26th minute when James Constable snuck in behind a static defence and stabbed the ball past Beckwith from deep inside the penalty area.

Stuart Elliott did his side no favours when his was given his marching orders for a second yellow card five minute before the half-time break.

And things went from bad to worse as Beckwith suffered a sickening injury to his face just moments later when he collided with Oxford's Lewis Haldane at full pace.

The game was subsequently held up for 17 minutes as medical staff attended to the unfortunate Beckwith.

Chris Wilder's side further extended their lead in first-half injury time when Constable popped up for a second time to tap home from close range, with Yemi Odubade providing the assist.

The visitors finally managed to pull one back in the 61st minute after being awarded a free-kick on the edge of Oxford's area for a foul on Jamie Slabber by Chris Willmott.

Tony Dinning stepped up to take the resulting free-kick and fired a stinging shot through the defensive wall into the back of the net.

However, it was the Yellows who had the last say as they restored their three-goal advantage in the 69th minute through on-loan defender Adam Chapman.

Craig Farrell played an inviting through pass into the area which was met by Chapman and fired into the bottom-left corner.

Oxford bookings: Clist.

Grays bookings: Elliott, Thurgood, Quistin.

Sent off: Elliott (41).

Ref: Mark McLaughlin.

Att: 4764.