HARRIERS 1 OXFORD 3

THE harsh reality of the Division Three promotion chase hit Kidderminster Harriers hard in Tuesday's defeat to Oxford United.

Ian Atkins' high-fliers rarely moved out of second gear to win 3-1 at Aggborough as defensive calamities gifted them their goals.

And it has now got to the point where a clean sheet would be just as important as a victory for Harriers.

They have kept just one, at Wrexham on December 21, since boss Ian Britton won his October manager of the month award.

With finances tight and just one injury or two biting a small squad, there appears to be little chance of changing around the defensive personnel.

There have been calls for a return to a four-man defence but this is hampered by Harriers' lack of a natural left-back as Scott Stamps is still not fit to return.

Oxford, now in third place, have no such worries with more cash enabling them to borrow an experienced defender in Nottingham Forest's Christian Edwards.

Britton would love to be in that position but must nevertheless be considering a shake-up of sorts after Tuesday's game.

On-loan Andy Bishop was Harriers' star performer again, driving one dangerous shot across the face of goal on 20 minutes following a lively left-wing run.

But the visitors were ahead a minute later with a low 20-yard strike from ex-Southampton and Preston man Steve Basham.

Defender Adie Smith was caught out by Andy Scott and though he tackled the forward, the ball went straight to Basham who ran on to score.

Harriers were perhaps unlucky on 29 minutes when Roy Hunter's long throw caused complete chaos in the penalty area but it was another reminder of their defensive insecurities.

Oxford players Dave Savage and Scott flicked the ball on but it ended up in the net off Craig Hinton's knee.

Wing-back Scott McNiven's effort was deflected wide before Harriers' best chance just before half-time.

Strong running from Bishop seemed to provide Bo Henriksen with a good chance but the Dane failed to get enough purchase on the ball and it rolled straight to keeper Andy Woodman.

Harriers were forced into an interval change due to Smith's injury but the early second-half signs were good.

Henriksen was woefully off target with a close-range opportunity before Harriers pulled a goal back on 51 minutes.

It was Bishop who carved out the opening, running onto Danny Williams' pass and providing the alert Sean Parrish with a tap-in on a plate from a low right-wing cross.

Justice was done on 56 minutes as Oxford's Scott appeared offside when he burst through but Stuart Brock tipped away his shot.

Yet the keeper went from hero to villain five minutes later when he made a complete hash of Savage's long pass and Scott fired into the empty net from an acute angle.

Harriers were dead and buried, even deeper when Henriksen failed to get a touch on Dean Bennett's dangerous low cross.

The introduction of strikers Drewe Broughton, back from a suspension which lasted more than four weeks, and Ian Foster failed to lift the beleaguered home side.

Now they find themselves in need of bouncing back yet again at Lincoln on Saturday.

HARRIERS: Brock 5; Coleman 5, Smith 6 (Ayres 46, 6), Hinton 6; Bennett 6 (Foster 69, 6), Flynn 5, Williams 6, Parrish 6, Shilton 6; Henriksen 5 (Broughton 69, 6), BISHOP 7. Subs: Danby, Ducros.

OXFORD: Woodman; Edwards, Crosby, Bound; McNiven, Hunt, Hunter, Savage (Waterman 72), Robinson; Basham, Scott (Oldfield 85). Subs: Whitehead, Steele, Louis.

ATTENDANCE: 2,991.

SHOTS ON: Harriers 3, Oxford 3.

SHOTS OFF: Harriers 5, Oxford 5.

CORNERS: Harriers 4, Oxford 5.

GOALS: Basham 21, (og) 29, Parrish 51, Scott 61.

YELLOW CARDS: Harriers 2 (Williams, Broughton), Oxford 1 (Hunt).

SHUTTLE STAR MAN: Andy Bishop. Another lively display from Bishop who set up the goal and looked dangerous when running at the Oxford defenders.