OXFORD 2 HARRIERS 1

IAN Atkins' Oxford United completed the double over Kidderminster Harriers but this time the manager who seems to have a hold over the Aggborough men had some complimentary words.

The Oxford manager, only defeated once by Harriers in the LDV Trophy when with Carlisle, was not a popular person in Kidderminster after January's 3-1 scoreline.

Atkins accused Ian Britton's team of being long-ball merchants and bizarrely compared them to the Wimbledon of old.

But it appears the former Birmingham City player may have been misunderstood and he lavished some praise on Harriers after defeating them again, 2-1 at the Kassam Stadium.

Atkins admitted: "I actually believe they are a much better side than last season when under Jan (Molby). I meant they are mixing up their play a lot more which makes them harder to play against."

Unfortunately, his words will have been of little comfort to boss Britton who saw his side fail to win for a sixth game in a row, putting another dent in their play-off ambitions.

The Harriers manager certainly deserves plenty of praise for moulding a genuine top-seven contender this season when many feared a battle at the other end of the table.

But Britton will be dismayed to see much of the season's hard work falling away as Harriers slip towards a solid but unspectacular mid-table position.

He believes his players could be achieving more and Saturday offered another glimpse of why that is so.

They often looked the better side against Oxford but failed to create much in the way of chances despite a first-choice attacking line-up.

And of course the now customary defensive error crept in to give Oxford a winner two minutes from time, preventing Harriers from even going away with a point.

In fact, the first goal wasn't the best either as the visitors were caught napping following a disputed corner on 38 minutes.

It was taken short to wing-back Scott McNiven whose low cross was swept home by loan defender Paul McCarthy from 15 yards.

Keeper Stuart Brock's only shot to deal with before that had been Mark Robinson's low 20-yard drive following a left-wing run.

Harriers had carved out the better two opportunities with first an unmarked John Melligan heading Bo Henriksen's cross straight at Andy Woodman on 10 minutes.

Then Danny Williams' low centre eventually fell for Sam Shilton who hooked the ball inches past the left-hand post from just inside the box.

But, after McCarthy's strike, they did not take long to equalise with Henriksen claiming his 20th goal of the season just before the interval.

The Dane lashed the ball home from close range following a goal-mouth scramble caused by Shilton's right-wing corner.

Henriksen found the net again moments later but had already been ruled offside from Dean Bennett's pass into the box.

Considering that promising moment, Harriers disappointed in the second period as they failed to penetrate the Oxford back-line.

Not even the promptings of the impressive Henriksen and Williams' hard work in midfield could unlock an experienced defence.

And after Williams did well to block a Robinson effort on 75 minutes sub Manny Onoyinmi pinched all three points with little time left.

The former West Ham man was let in by Craig Hinton's misjudgement and he out-paced Dion Scott before slipping a cool finish past the helpless Brock.

Sean Flynn had headed a Henriksen cross wide moments before but in truth Harriers had little left in their locker with both Melligan and Andy Bishop well shackled by the home side.

OXFORD: Woodman; McCarthy, Crosby, Bound; McNiven (Hackett 83), Savage (Whitehead 46), Waterman, Ford, Robinson; Scott, Foley (Omoyinmi 59). Subs not used: Oldfield, Hunter.

HARRIERS: Brock 6; Smith 6, Scott 6, Hinton 5; Bennett 6, Melligan 6, WILLIAMS 7, Flynn 5, Shilton 5; Henriksen 7, Bishop 6 (Broughton 81). Subs not used: Danby, Parrish, Stamps, McAuley.

ATTENDANCE: 6,820.

SHOTS ON: Oxford 4, Harriers 3.

SHOTS OFF: Oxford 2, Harriers 5.

CORNERS: Oxford 7, Harriers 8.

GOALS: McCarthy 38, Henriksen 45, Omoyinmi 88.

YELLOW CARDS: Oxford 2 (Waterman, McCarthy), Harriers 2 (Bennett, Henriksen).

SHUTTLE STAR MAN: Danny Williams. The midfield anchorman continued with his consistent displays and has deserved better during Harriers' disappointing run. One vital penalty-area block was a prime example of his importance to the team.