A female referee will next week take charge of an Oxford United match for the first time in the club's history.

BBC Oxford has learned that Amy Rayner has been selected for the game against Kidderminster Harriers in the Blue Square Premier on Tuesday.

Oxford manager Darren Patterson has played down the significance. He said: "I have no problems at all with it."

United will be looking for revenge after losing 1-0 to Harriers at Aggborough in September.

It will be the fourth match that Rayner has refereed in the Blue Square Premier this season - but with the biggest crowd.

As an assistant referee she was at the centre of controversy two years ago when then Luton manager Mike Newell said such appointments amounted to "tokenism".

He apologised, was fined, and was reprimanded by the club.

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