Kidderminster Harriers manager Mark Yates saluted his strikers after Matthew Barnes-Homer and Justin Richards linked beautifully for the winning goal against the U's.

It was Barnes-Homer's fifth goal of the season, as he joined Richards on that number, while Harriers have now won four successive home matches – something Oxford can only dream of.

"My front two were superb," said Yates. "Justin and Matthew have got a good understanding between them and they're keeping a very good player in Darryl Knights out of the side at the moment.

"It wasn't a classic performance, but we have dug in there.

"Although Oxford had a lot of possession, because we gave the ball away a bit cheaply, my boys have got to take a lot of credit."

The frustrating thing for United manager Darren Patterson is that his side are not far away.

At times they pass the ball and control games better than last season, but they haven't found a way to become efficient, all too often conceding the opening goal and then having to chase away from home.