Oxford United's four-game unbeaten run came to an end in a breathless Blue Square Premier game at Aggborough.

Matthew Barnes-Homer struck the only goal of the game, after excellent link-up play with ex-U's striker Justin Richards, midway through the first half.

United dominated large parts of the game as they pressed in search of an equaliser but were lelft to rue missed chances.

The best was possibly James Constable's opening when he was through on goal before Barnes-Homer's goal, but he shot over.

It must have been a boost to have Constable in the starting line-up when, at the start of the week he had been such a doubt for the game.

And making his debut in central midfield, alongside new captain Joe Burnell and ex-skipper Adam Murray, was new signing Paul Evans.

It wasn't just Constable playing against one of his old clubs, so too was Murray. And it was from his right-wing cross that United created the game's first real chance. Lewis Haldane, running in from deep, got his head to the cross to nod it sideways where Constable was waiting, but alert keeper Adam Bartlett saved.

It needed some top-class defending for the visitors to remain level with Kidderminster looking lively when they went forward.

Martin Brittain delivered a great right-wing cross and Levi Reid used every ounce of effort he had to challenge the much taller Richards to put him off his far-post header.

Karleigh Osborne also had to be at his best, and quickest, to turn a very dangerous cross from the left bye-line for a corner at his near post.

Constable missed a glorious opportunity to open the scoring when he burst through in a central position in the 16th minute. The ball sat up more than he expected, so his shot came off his shin rather than his instep, and he struck it over the bar.

The U's had a big scare when, from a corner, Richards hit a shot in a crowded goalmouth down into the ground and it bounced over Hinchliffe's head, but Murray was in the perfect place to head it off the line.

However, the link-up play of Richards and Barnes-Homer was starting to open up United's defence.

The two had combined superbly on 13 minutes with a clever step-over from Richards and one-two with his striking partner, which ended with the big man firing an angled shot across goal and past the far post, though Hinchliffe looked to have it covered.

And on 22 minutes Kidderminster took the lead with a brilliantly worked goal, down entirely to the front two.

Barnes-Homer and Richardfs played a quick one-two, and then as Richards darted into space on the right, Barnes-Homes found space in the middle and he met Richards' cross with a deft volley low into the bottom right corner of the goal.

It continued for some time to be an all-action first half, and as they strove for an equaliser, Oxford kept the ball better, passing and moving well to set up chances.

Twice Lewis Haldane cut in from the left to curl in right-footed shots that were bound for the top corner, only for Bartlett to arch back and tip them over the bar.

Evans, known for his liking for a shot, further tested Bartlett with a 20-yard volley, and later fired another shot wide, while at the other end Richards had a goal disallowed for offside, the flag going up immediately.

Chris Carruthers replaced Constable for the second half and Oxford maintained their constant pressure.

Murray had a drive pushed over by the keeeper after racing through onto Haldane's clever flick, and Barry Quinn nearly turned in an Evans corner.

Chris Willmott, who at the back had moments earlier produced a brilliantly-timed tackle to halt Richards in his tracks, was just unable to turn the ball over the line after a scramble at a corner, seeing his poked shot deflect just past the post.

The Oxford United fans were in great voice as they tried to lift their team, and they continued to press hard.

Deering had a decent shot saved, and from the youngster's corner, Karleigh Osborne directed a header inches over the bar.

Oxford Utd: Hinchcliffe, Willmott, Quinn, Osborne, Reid, Burnell, Murray, Evans (Deering 57), Haldane, Constable (Carruthers h-t), Guy (Odubade 65). Subs not used: Turley, Clarke.