Tonight sees the latest episode in Oxford's futile bid to resurrect their automatic promotion campaign, with the visit of Kidderminster Harriers[@opponent]Kidderminster Harriers[/@opponent] to Grenoble Road. United will be keen to get back on track following Saturday's disastrous defeat by Forest Green Rovers, which leaves the Us still eight points adrift of leaders Dagenham & Redbridge, who now have a game in hand on Oxford. In addition, United will now also be looking over their shoulders at their play-off competitors, many of whom have one, two, or even three games in hand, especially after Burton Albion beat Forest Green 1-0 last night, to move into fourth place, six points behind Oxford.[@connection]Kidderminster Harriers[/@connection]

Jim Smith has a number of decisions to make following Saturday's disaster. Most important is how he treats sulky striker Rob Duffy, who was hauled off before half time because of his “unprofessional attitude”, according to Smith. Duffy collected his tenth booking of the season shortly before his substitution, which means that he will be suspended for the trips to Altrincham and Halifax. Oxford are suffering a shortage of strikers at present, with only Marvin “Anthrobus” Robinson and the out-of-favour Billy Beechers the only fit options, although Kris Grebis is hopeful of a run out in a practice match this week after his knee injury. Barry Quinn may be available again following his injury, and if so he is likely to replace Matt Day at right back, while Rufus Brevett is almost certain to be preferred to Gavin Johnson at left back. In midfield Carl Pettefer could come in, possibly as a direct replacement for Martin Foster, or maybe for Daniel Rose, who could play wide left, with Andy Burgess making way. Who knows?

In October, United drew 0-0 at Aggborough[@report]275[/@report], but a repeat will not be enough for United if they want to go up automatically, while the Harriers also need all three points in their bid to reach the play offs. Kidderminster's season has been boosted by their run in the FA Trophy, where they beat Northwich Victoria 2-0 on Saturday in the first leg of the semi final. Kidderminster are currently in 11th place, 11 points beneath the play-off zone, but with three games in hand. However, following their excellent run of eight straight Conference victories, they went on to lose four in a row until they beat Halifax 1-0 on 6 March, their most recent league fixture. After Saturday, Rage Online is not confident about Oxford's chances, although we are clutching at the straw that the Harriers' cup run might distract them enough for the Us to sneak a cheeky 1-0 win.

There is a practically full Conference fixture list this evening, with Dagenham & Redbridge travelling to second-bottom St Albans. Third-placed York City are away to Cambridge United, while Morecambe, now in fifth place, are at home to Altrincham, whom United visit on Saturday. Exeter, who have dropped to sixth place, don't have a game tonight.

Bottom club Southport face a tricky trip to eighth-placed Stevenage Borough, while third-bottom Grays Athletic will be looking to climb out of the relegation zone as they play Tamworth, who are immediately above them. Fifth-bottom Stafford Rangers can do both Oxford and themselves a favour if they beat Gravesend & Northfleet, who are seventh. Ninth-placed Aldershot still harbour faint hopes of making the play offs, and they welcome Woking to the Rec, but Weymouth are heading in the opposite direction but will be hoping to reverse that trend as Crawley visit the seaside. Tonight's other match see Rushden & Diamonds visit Halifax Town.