As the Oxford Mail removes its reports, I took the liberty of making a copy.
Hope nobody minds!

United kicked in the teeth Gillingham 1,  Oxford United 0  OXFORD United were given another massive kick in the teeth on Saturday when they were beaten by a hugely controversial last-minute goal after what looked to be a clear foul on the goalkeeper.  South African keeper Andre Arendse, recalled to the team in place of Paul Lundin, had been in fine form throughout a low-key Division 2 match, making several saves to deny the play-off chasing Gills.  But he didn't stand an earthly when, from a right-wing corner, Ty Gooden swung over a cross and both Barry Ashby and Junior Lewis climbed all over him.  As the ball came off Lewis's head and dropped into the goal, it seemed to be such a blatant case of pushing that all eyes immediately gazed at referee Phil Joslin and his assistant. They looked at each other but then raced back towards halfway.  United's players began chasing after the ref in protest and manager Denis Smith headed off down the touchline towards the linesman.  In the arguments that followed, Craig Russell was booked and there may have been others. United must await the referee's report to find out. Smith was called back by the fourth official and when the final whistle sounded just a few seconds later, the manager walked on to the pitch to urge his players away from the ref, to prevent more of them getting into trouble.  It was the cruellest of endings after United had given an away performance to match the one they produced at Wycombe.  The only thing missing this time was a goal, and they had two glorious opportunities which were spurned.  The first came in the 58th minute when substitute Derek Lilley raced through on the left from Paul Tait's pass, and did brilliantly to hold the ball up and turn, laying it on a plate for Nigel Jemson who had only keeper Vince Bartram to beat. But Jemmo skied his shot horribly.  An even better opportunity followed after 83 minutes. Lilley, shaven-headed and looking purposeful and dangerous, again burst through on the left. He went past a Gillingham midfielder, easily beat fullback Adrian Pennock and pulled back a cross for Russell who had the goal at his mercy.  But again the finish was missing. Russell was leaning back as he shot, left-footed, and the effort flashed over the bar.  Those are the type of chances you have to take if you want to get anything in an away game against one of the leading teams in the division. But that's been the story of United's season.  Nevertheless, this was a performance which should encourage them for what is a tough run-in.  They enjoyed plenty of possession, were solid and composed at the back where Mark Watson and Phil Whelan again combined effectively, and they had two half-game performances which were outstanding.  The first was from Peter Fear who dominated the midfield on his own before having to leave the pitch with a twisted ankle moments before the break.  Fear got in two terrific long-range shots. He hit a 25-yarder from deep on the left which Bartram saved with some difficulty to his left, and then he drilled in a low 22-yard shot which the keeper got right behind.  Oxford made much the better start yet their former striker Andy Thomson, fired up for this game, caused some problems with his running off the ball.  Whelan made a superb tackle on Thomson just before the break when Gillingham re-emerged from their shell, but the first half belonged to the visitors. Smith switched his personnel around at half-time, pushing Russell wide and Lilley further forward, and suddenly these two began to stretch the home team's defence.  But United were dealt a blow when Joey Beauchamp, trying to charge down a clearance, took the ball full in his face and had to go off, partly concussed.  If Fear's first-half display had been good, Lilley's second-half show was even better and United ran the game.  Gillingham brought on Carl Asaba who proved more of a handful. Arendse saved one shot from him and it was a wild challenge by Tait on Asaba in the 89th minute which led to a free-kick just outside the area.  Nicky Southall struck the free-kick superbly, over the wall, but Arendse matched it with a sensational save to turn it over the bar.  That brought a corner, and then the goal - or mugging . . . depending on your viewpoint.  Story date: Monday 06 March  Copyright 1999 Newsquest Media Group