KEY defender Craig Hinton has admitted Kidderminster Harriers are making themselves too easy to beat after their play-off hopes took another jolt on Tuesday night.

Harriers lost 3-1 at home to promotion-chasing Oxford United in Division Three with defensive errors continuing to haunt boss Ian Britton.

They have now conceded two goals or more in 14 of the last 16 games, including Saturday's much-needed 3-2 win over Bury.

The disastrous defensive run is in contrast to just two defeats in the first 16 league fixtures when they were performing much better at the back.

Former Harriers player-of-the- year Hinton, who scored an unfortunate own goal on Tuesday, admitted: "I don't think teams have to try hard for their goals against us. They are just sloppy goals.

"Perhaps it's a concentration thing. There was not a lot in the first half against Oxford really but we were better for 25 minutes of the second half.

"We got our goal and we were on top but then we've conceded a sloppy third goal."

Harriers boss Ian Britton was in agreement but also blasted comments made after the match by Oxford manager Ian Atkins.

Atkins compared Harriers' style to the long-ball Wimbledon of old, adding: "They get the ball forward very, very quickly."

But Britton was quick to defend the club who have prided themselves on their passing football over the years.

He said: "If we did go direct in the first half then it was because we got dragged into their style of play and they're better at it than us.

"However, when we got the ball down in the second half and started to play the 'Kiddy way' we caused them a lot of problems.

"All three goals we conceded could have been avoided. Yet again the difference between the two teams is they have the players who do the simple things well.

"Mind you, when you have a playing budget twice the size of ours you can afford to go out and get those type of players."

Harriers, often happier on their travels this season, head to Lincoln City on Saturday and are again looking for a pick-me-up.

Lincoln are ninth, three places above Britton's men who are still only two points off York in seventh.

Eight-goal John Melligan has a chance of returning from an ankle injury, while Harriers will check on Adie Smith today.

Defender Smith came off at half-time against Oxford as his ankle, recently operated on, was sore but he should be fit for the weekend.

Britton is still chasing potential new loan signings but without any success so far.

Hinton, 25, is expecting Lincoln to present quite a similar test to Oxford, though perhaps with less finesse.

He added: "Oxford's whole team work hard and they are hard to beat. Lincoln on Saturday will play the same way so we know what we are up against."

Harriers entertain another promotion hopeful Bournemouth on Tuesday (7.45pm).