Oxford United were held to a disappointing goalless draw by Kidderminster at the Kassam Stadium, but they went back to the top of the Blue Square Premier on goal difference because Stevenage lost 1-0 at Tamworth.

Jamie Cook was a surprise inclusion in the starting line-up, and he had a chance inside the first ten seconds, when straight from the kick-off, James Constable headed on and he turned inside defender Gavin Caines to open up a good shooting opportunity.

But he scuffed his right-footed effort wide.

Constable and left back Anthony Tonkin returned to the side, which meant Jack Midson had to make do with a place on the bench, despite his brace at Chelmsford. Franny Green, who had got United's other goal that afternoon, wasn't even in the squad.

The U's were attacking towards the Oxford Mail Stand first half, unusually for them, and they pressed hard, closing down quickly to put the visitors under pressure at every opportunity.

Kidderminster wasted an excellent 3 v 2 break when Marc Goodfellow sent his low left-wing cross across the face of the goal, out of reach of his two inrushing teammates.

And Harriers were not far away again, on 20 minutes, when another left-wing cross took a deflection and bounced off big striker Robbie Matthews in front of goal, just wide.

Sam Deering's willingness to run at the Kidderminster defence kept Oxford on the front foot, and Deering also delivered some fine crosses and free-kicks.

From one of his low free-kicks, from the right, Rhys Day almost turned the ball in.

Constable felt he should have had a penalty when he tried to power his way between Caines and Martin Riley, but referee David Cooke waved play on.

Constable may still have been frustrated by that when he commited a full on left back Lee Baker, and that earned him a booking - his tenth yellow card of the campaign which rules him out of Tuesday's game at Luton through suspension.

It was becoming a tight old battle. Ryan Clarke needed to be alert to save from Goodfellow after athe slightest of slips from Jake Wright.

There was a great chance for United to break the deadlock at the start of the second half when Deering did well to break free down the right. But Constable seemed unsure what run to make, and Deering delayed his centre just too long, and the opportunity was wasted.

Constable kept getting caught offside on what was proving a very frustrating afternoon for him.

Cook produced a moment of fine skill with a sharp turn and left-footed drive from outside the box, which wasn't far away.

Then just before the hour mark, Cook made way for Matt Green, and Chris Hargreaves entered for his Kassam Stadium return, with Potter making way.

Jack Midson arrived 16 minutes from the end, and he too had an opportunity straight away. Picked out by Matt Green's pass, his first touch was good, but it was a weak shot and Dean Coleman saved comfortably.

Coleman also got behind a Deering blast when the midfielder broke free on the right, and virtually fought off Matt Green to have the shooting chance himself, but the angle was a difficult one for him.

The second half petered out a bit, as Kidderminster appeared to settle for a point, but Midson had another good sighting of goal from a super move from the U's.

This time Deering, who had a fine game, set Bulman clear down the right, and Bulman crossed first-time deep top the far post where Midson met the cross on the volley - but straight into Coleman's chest.

Oxford Utd: Clarke, Batt, Day, Wright, Tonkin, Potter (Hargreaves 58), Bulman, Clist (Midson 74), Cook (M Green 58), Deering, Constable. Subs not used: Turley, Creighton.

Booked: Constable, Wright, Bulman.

Referee: David Cooke (Notts).

Att: 5,802 (167 from Kidderminster).