FORMER Kidderminster Harriers’ hitman James Constable was back to haunt his old club last night as Oxford United downed Mark Yates’ Blue Square Premier high-fliers.

The on-loan Shrewsbury Town striker drilled home a 25th minute penalty after he was felled by Mark Creighton and Martin Riley.

Constable, who left Harriers last year for league football, was a constant thorn in his old team’s side and his fiery character seemed to get the better of several of his former colleagues.

But after Oxford had taken the lead, Yates’ men battered the Kassam Stadium outfit from pillar to post.

Despite the chance to move into the top three of the table and just one point behind leaders Histon, Harriers remain in the top five.

Brian Smikle, Andy Ferrell and Russ Penn all went close in the second-half.

For all the possession and territory that the visitors had in the second period they just could not find a way through a stubborn Oxford defence as the hosts clung on for dear life and a much-needed three points.