Saturday, April 12, 2003

MANAGER Ian Britton is still not giving up on his play-off dream despite Kidderminster Harriers falling to a crucial 2-1 Division Three defeat at Oxford United.

The hard-working manager has been dismayed at a run of six games without a win when Harriers could have been making an impact on the top seven.

Britton's defence again pressed the self-destruct button on Saturday to gift Oxford a late goal from sub Manny Omoyinmi which boosted the home side's promotion charge.

But Harriers' own challenge seems to be left in tatters with a demanding four victories needed from the final five fixtures, starting with Tuesday's visit to Rochdale, to stand a chance.

Though Britton still has hope, he did admit of the campaign so far: "Everyone is saying we have no money but I do feel these players could do better. I'm convinced of that."

However, he added: "I wouldn't say that it's all over but it does make it very difficult for us now.

"There's still five games left and before this game I said we needed to win four out of our remaining six matches.

"We generally played Oxford off the park but again it's the same old story. Certainly in the first half, we could have come in with two or three goals quite easily. But this time it was Craig Hinton's turn to give away the goal. It will probably be someone else next week.

"We've played well against Hartlepool and Oxford. We didn't deserve to lose but if you don't take your chances and give silly goals away you will get punished."

In a game of few good chances, Harriers looked the better side and threatened on 10 minutes when an unmarked John Melligan sent a diving header straight at Andy Woodman from Bo Henriksen's cross.

But Harriers were caught napping on 38 minutes as a disputed corner was played short to Scott McNiven and the wing-back's centre was swept home by defender Paul McCarthy from 15 yards.

It only took them seven minutes to level though with the impressive Henriksen lashing the ball into the roof of the net from close range following a scramble created by Shilton's corner.

Henriksen had an effort ruled out for offside before the interval but both sides struggled to find openings in a sedate second half.

Midfield anchorman Danny Williams bravely blocked a goal-bound effort from Robinson before Harriers' customary defensive slip two minutes from time.

Hinton let in former West Ham man Omoyinmi who out-paced Dion Scott before calmly beating Brock.

HARRIERS: Brock 6; Smith 6, Scott 6, Hinton 5; Bennett 6, Melligan 6, HWilliams 7, Flynn 5, Shilton 5; Henriksen 7, Bishop 6 (Broughton 81) .