Tuesday, January 28, 2003

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' play-off hopes were dented when defensive errors allowed Oxford United to win 3-1 in the Nationwide League Division Three Aggborough last night.

Harriers, who trailed 2-0 at half time, pulled a goal back through Sean Parrish before a mistake by goalkeeper Stuart Brock gave The U's the chance to guarantee maximum points.

It lifted Oxford into third position in the table and knocked Ian Britton's men into 12th spot, still three points away from a play-off place.

Afterwards disappointed Britton said: "I think the first half was a non-event. Oxford are a rough, tough, big, strong and physical side and I think at times in the first half we didn't match it. But there wasn't a lot in it.

"We had a couple of good chances but we gave two first-half goals away and you are always chasing the game then.

"We came out in the second half trying to put things right and we could have had two goals in the first two minutes.

"We got a goal and for 20 minutes I though we bossed them around and created a few more chances. But then a mistake gave them a third goal."

Manager Ian Atkins' high-flyers delighted their 804 travelling fans when they broke the deadlock in the 21st minute.

A sliding tackle by Adie Smith on Andy Scott resulted in the ball breaking loose to Steve Basham who ran on to plant a low shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net from 18 yards.

Eight minutes later it was 2-0 when a long throw-in by Roy Hunter was knocked on by Scott to Dave Savage whose header was turned into his own goal by Craig Hinton. Kenny Coleman made a desperate bid to keep the ball out of the net but it was all in vain.

Kidderminster, who failed to produce an on-target effort during the first period, were more threatening after the break and grabbed a lifeline in the 51st minute when Sean Parrish finished off a good run and cross by Andy Bishop.

Oxford, however, regained their two-goal cushion ten minutes later when Brock made a mess of clearing the ball on the edge of the area and Scott was able to volley into an empty net.

Another black spot for Harriers was when substitute Drewe Broughton, back in action after serving a four-match suspension, picked up another booking for a foul.

Kidderminster: Brock 4, Williams 6, Hinton 5, Smith 5 (Ayres 46, 5), Bennett 5 (Foster 69, 4), Parrish 6, Shilton 5, Henriksen 4 (Broughton 69, 4), Flynn 6, Coleman 6, Bishop 7. Subs (not used): Danby, Ducros.

Star player: Andy Bishop.

Attendance: 2,991.