Saturday, May 6, 2006 – the day that Oxford United’s 44-year stay in the Football League came to an end with defeat against Leyton Orient.
Read: Where Are They Now? Oxford 2-3 Leyton Orient
The U’s headed into the final game of the 2005/06 season knowing that only a win would keep their League Two status alive, while all three points for Leyton Orient would secure automation promotion to League One.
Eric Sabin gave the U’s an early lead, latching on to an Andy Burgess free-kick, but the O’s levelled just three minutes later through Craig Easton. Gary Alexander managed to chip goalkeeper Billy Turley to give the visitors a second-half lead, but Chris Willmott headed home the equaliser from another Burgess’ set-piece. Willmott was dismissed five minutes from time before former Oxford striker Lee Steele netted a cruel last-minute winner.
Not only did the result send Orient up, but it also ended the U’s 44-year stay in the Football League, resulting in them becoming the first team to win a major trophy and suffer relegation into non-league football.
