Darren Patterson's unbeaten reign continued with a hard-fought 2-0 win at Kidderminster Harriers.[@news]2222[/@news][@opponent]Kidderminster Harriers[/@opponent] Playing a very young side, with two players making their debuts, the early exchanges unsurprisingly saw the home team on top, but United's back line held firm. They had a scare when Justin Richards headed against the underside of the bar after 25 minutes, but six minutes later Oxford took the lead. James Clarke carried the ball forward before releasing Eddie Odhiambo-Anaclet. His cross was met by on-loan striker Matt Green, who sliced his first attempt but managed to prod the ball home. Shortly afterwards Kidderminster looked to have thrown the towel in when James Constable elbowed Clarke off the ball and was shown a red card. Barry Quinn was then lucky not to concede a penalty after a rash challenge on Michael Blackwood. Two minutes before half time, the referee sent off Carl Pettefer for having the temerity to win a tackle, just to even up the numbers. United have already indicated their intention to appeal against this decision.

With ten against ten, Kidderminster started the second half with intent to equalise, but with Luke Foster winning everything in the air Oxford stood firm. Midway through the half Andy Ferrell, who had been committing fouls all afternoon, took out Clarke and was finally booked. Alex Jeannin swung over a dangerous cross, which was met first time by another debutant, substitute Ashley Barnes, to double Oxford's lead. The fire went out of the Harriers' bellies after this, and their attacking impetus diminished. They did almost grab a consolation when a poor back-pass by Gary Twigg was intercepted by Iyesden Christie, who rounded Billy Turley, but Barry Quinn managed to clear the shot off the line.

Patterson handed starting debuts to two players. Loanee striker Green, from Cardiff, partnered Yemi Odubade up front, replacing Kieran St Aimee who has returned to Queens Park Rangers. Clarke, who won the Young Player of the Year award last season, started at right back, in place of Paddy Collins, who was injured. Five minutes into the second half Yemi was replaced by another debutant, Barnes, and five minutes later Twigg returned from injury in place of Green. With ten minutes to go Chris Willmott came on to shore up the defence, in place of Anaclet.

Today's excuse for a referee was Ollie Langford, who was in charge of United's 3-2 home defeat by Aldershot. In addition to showing Pettefer a straight red for a perfect tackle, he also booked Eddie Hutchinson for a clash of heads that saw Gavin Hurren have to leave the field. The attendance was 2,025, of whom 490 were in the away end.

The win lifts Oxford up to 11th, going one place above Kidderminster. Other results in the Conference included Torquay getting back at Aldershot with a 2-0 win over Woking, with Chris Hargreaves scoring the Gulls' second goal. In last night's big promotion fixture, Cambridge United won 2-1 at Burton Albion, who had Daryl Clare sent off. Daniel Bertram scored a first-half hat trick for fifth-placed Forest Green Rovers, but they surprisingly lost 5-3 at Droylsden, who climbed to third from bottom. Histon and Exeter City drew 2-2, while ten-men Ebbsfleet United beat second-bottom Stafford Rangers 2-1. Lee Steele scored the only goal as bottom side Northwich Victoria beat Rushden & Diamonds 1-0. Next week, United have a break from Conference action as they play Southend United in the FA Cup second round. The Shrimpers lost 1-0 at crisis-club Luton Town.