DARREN Patterson held up his hand to accept some of the responsibility for Oxford United's 1-0 defeat at Kidderminster on Saturday as their four-match unbeaten run ended.

The U's boss admits it was a "calculated gamble" to play striker James Constable against his old club, when there was a big question mark over his fitness following a groin injury.

Patterson said the 23-year-old striker – United's four-goal leading scorer – wanted to play, but in the end he didn't look his normal self, and he missed Oxford's best chance of the game when he shot over the bar with just the keeper to beat.

"I feel for James Constable, but we are down to the bare bones," he said.

"It was a calculated gamble by me and it didn't work.

"He trained on Friday and the reaction was OK, but watching him there, he wasn't ready, he wasn't right.

"But I've got to give him credit, he's a tough boy, a brave lad and he wanted to do it. But it was a gamble from me."

In an excellent end-to-end game, United created plenty of chances as they dominated possession for large chunks, but could not find an equaliser.

Kidderminster are now unbeaten in their last 12 at home, while Oxford slipped to 19th in the table, ten points off the top.

"Regardless of what's happened and all the things that have gone against us, nine points from nine games isn't good enough, and I'm fully aware of that," Patterson said. "My expectations are a lot higher than that.

"We created enough in the 90 minutes to score. Had the first chance (from Constable) gone in, it might have been different.

"I'm not questioning my players' commitment and honesty, it's just their decision-making at times. We work hard on it, but when they cross that line, whether the occasion gets to them or what, I don't know. They worked their socks off, but that's the least I expect."

New signing Paul Evans had a decent debut and looks as though he will improve United's poor record of goals from midfield. He twice went close with shots.

"Paul did all right," said United's manager.

"He almost got in a couple of times. Perhaps if he was match fitter, he would have hit the target.

"But he's got goals in him from midfield, which is something we haven't managed to do, which is why we took him on a short-term deal."