The midweek results in the First Division may have given Oxford United hope as they bid to avoid relegation, but manager Malcolm Shotton has urged his side to concentrate on their own task of winning the final two games of the season.

The U's have slumped to second bottom and last weekend looked to be doomed with Port Vale having a game in hand and already being four points ahead.

However Vale's midweek defeat at home to Watford means Oxford have renewed hope of beating the drop as they look to close the gap on the quartet of clubs above them who all have 44 points - Bury, Port Vale, QPR and Crewe.

Oxford's hopes rest on Bury and Port Vale both losing this weekend against West Brom and QPR respectively before both sides meet on the final day of the season. A draw in that game, coupled with Oxford beating City tomorrow and Stock-port at home the following week, would see United avoid the drop.

However Shotton is adamant that all his side can do is concentrate on their own two final games.

He said: "Whatever happens, we have got to win both games. There is more pressure on Bradford for this game so we will give it our best shot. That is all we can do."

If Oxford are relegated tomorrow, they can at least console themselves with the fact that the club's future is looking much more assured off the field.

When City came away from the Manor Ground with a creditable 1-0 victory back in December, Oxford were in Administration with horrendous debts totalling around £13 million.

Work on their proposed new ground at Minchery Farm had also stopped 18 months earlier due to unpaid bills and there seemed little prospect of the building ever resuming.

However London hotelier Firaz Kassam has since taken over the club and work is expected to resume on the new ground if and when Oxford City Council give the go-ahead to his plans for a hotel and retail development alongside the planned stadium.

Kassam's arrival has certainly given the club much more stability although lack of money still hampers manager Mal Shotton's plans to improve the side.

The sale of Dean Windass in March for £950,000, with another £50,000 to follow should City win promotion, hit Oxford's season hard because goals have been hard to come by since his departure.

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