Oxford United failed to win for only the third time in the league at home as they were held 0-0 by Kidderminster Harriers, but still moved back to the top of the league on goal difference.
The U’s moved above Stevenage on goal difference after the hard-fought draw, with York City only a point behind in third in what is becoming a three-way race to the title. Jamie Cook, back in the starting line up, was quickly into the action creating the first chance after only eight seconds, cutting in from the left only to drag his shot wide.
Three minutes later Anthony Tonkin also fired wide from the edge of the box as the home side looked to attack. A quick Kidderminster break after 14 minutes was almost United’s undoing, however, as after a goalmouth scramble Jake Wright found himself facing three attackers, but the defender did just enough to force Marc Goodfellow to choose the wrong pass and the chance was gone.
The Harriers were not overawed by their opponents after winning 3-1 at Aggborough earlier this season and Rob Matthews missed another great chance from eight yards on 21 minutes, blazing over. Referee David Cooke then waved away two United penalty appeals with a minute, James Constable going over in the box twice under strong challenges, but the frustrated striker was the only one to enter the referee’s book for a foul on Lee Baker that earned him a suspension for picking up 10 yellow cards this season.
Rhys Day had a good chance to score the game’s first goal when he latched onto a clever Sam Deering free-kick only to scuff his effort before half-time. United started the second half as they had the first, Alfie Potter finding Deering (pictured) who laid the ball back for Constable to slot home, only for Duane Courtney to make a goal-stopping tackle 10 yards from goal.
Constable and Cook both had efforts from outside the box before Chris Wilder decided to make some changes, bringing on Matt Green and Chris Hargreaves for Potter and Cook on the hour mark.
Green forced his way through on 65 minutes with Deering beside him but between them the pair couldn’t smuggle the ball past Harriers’ ‘keeper Dean Coleman who smothered the ball at Deering’s feet. The goalie was in action again after 72 minutes, tipping a Simon Clist's free kick over the bar as the visitors began to focus on keeping United out.
Jack Midson, on for Simon Clist for the final 15 minutes, drove straight at Coleman with his first touch of the ball and had two further chances to win it for United in the final minutes as the game petered out for a draw, but not before the little-used Ryan Clarke was called on to spread himself and save from Damian Spencer from 10 yards.
Stevenage’s 1-0 defeat to Tamworth saw United move back to the top of the Blue Square Premier, but boss Wilder was still disappointed not to hjave taken all three points at the Kassam Stadium. "The result was a bittersweet one for us,” he admitted.
“It was a tight game against decent opposition who play a system that frustrates, and to be fair to them they looked good on the counter. I think we've created enough chances to win the game from the first ten seconds right to the end.
“Jack's gone through twice and Sam's gone through, but I've told the players that we need to keep believing in what we achieved at the start of the season.
"Their shape is a difficult one and I didn't really want to match up with it. I thought it was best to try and free Sam [Deering] up, and we did create chances all afternoon, but they're dangerous opponents, there's no doubt about it, and they've got some decent players. They'll hopefully produce a performance when they play the likes of Stevenage and York later on, as well as a few other of the top teams.
"As always it's the culmination of points at the end of the season that wins you things, and that certainly hasn't changed today. We won't know until the end of the season whether it's a point gained or two points dropped, but we gave a lot in terms of effort. We've got to start cracking on, doing it for ourselves and possibly blanking out some things that are flying about. There are 19 games to go and we're top of the league as it stands, and if we're still there come the end of the season I'll be delighted."
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