Oxford Utd 0, Crewe 1 (Pearson 89) A GOAL in the 89th minute from Gregg Pearson condemned Oxford United to defeat at the Kassam Stadium today.

The Crewe substitute netted from close range to end the U's six-game unbeaten run.

It was a game of contrasting halves for Oxford, who played some really nice football in the opening period, but lacked a cutting edge after the break.

Boss Chris Wilder named an unchanged line-up from the side that beat Aldershot 3-0 last week.

Going into the match, all the talk was about James Constable and the two Swindon Town bids for him that were rejected from United this week.

The U's fans made their feelings known, one giant poster reading 'Don't Go Beano' displayed in the Oxford Mail stand.

The striker was clearly fired up for the game, and twice came close to putting the U's ahead early on.

The first time Constable did find the net, but was harshly penalised for a foul.

Then, his left-foot shot from a goalmouth scramble looked destined for the net, only for visiting defender Dave Artell to throw his body in the way and deflect it over for a corner.

The U's looked good going forward, and were unfortunate when Peter Leven's volley hit the back of Alfie Potter's heels when appearing destined for the net.

One sensational passing move ended with Potter firing just over as United poured forward.

Credit Crewe, however, who stood firm and gradually imposed themselves on the game.

The flow of the game was not helped by an over-fussy referee in Lee Collins, who blew for everything - and this suited the visitors.

The second half was a more subdued affair, with the hosts unable to carve out any clear openings.

Wilder replaced Andy Whing with Paul McLaren to try and then Jon-Paul Pittman and Simon Heslop made way for Anthony Tonkin and Deane Smalley as the U's switched to a 4-4-2 system.

Anxiety grew among the home supporters as United struggled to find the fine balance between being patient with the ball and pushing forward.

Crewe, renowned for their flowing football, came more and more into the game, and after some fine work down the right from Matt Tootle and Nick Powell, Pearson made United pay.

Oxford Utd: Clarke, Batt, Duberry, Wright, Davis, Heslop (Tonkin 72), Whing (McLaren 64), Leven, Potter, Constable, Pittman (Smalley 72). Subs: Tonkin, Worley, Hall, Smalley. Booked: Whing.

Crewe: Phillips, Davis, Dugdale, Artell, Tootle, Shelley (Pearson 81), Lowry, Murphy, Moore, Westwood, Powell. Subs: Martin, Mellor, Clayton, Turton, Pearson. Booked: Westwood.

Attendance: 7,052 (313 from Crewe).