Experience key in Coleman's recall

Kidderminster Harriers manager Steve Burr has revealed the experience of Dean Coleman was key in his decision to restore the goalkeeper to the team at Oxford United.

Coleman was named ahead of Jasbir Singh between the sticks on Saturday after dropping to the bench for two games, and kept a clean sheet in the goalless draw at the Kassam Stadium.

It throws the gauntlet back to Singh, who has waited in the wings since joining from Shrewsbury in the summer, to battle to get his place back after his breakthrough to the first team.

And the manager added that his omission had nothing to do with his performances, especially after a shut out in the last game at Worcester City.

Burr said: "I just felt that, for a game like Oxford, Dean has got that little bit more experience, so we decided to put him back in and he did very well. It's no reflection on Jas, who has done very well for us over the past two games.

"With 'Deano' back in the team now it puts pressure on him, but it keeps them both on their toes."

Harriers became only the fourth team to take a draw from Oxford, but a point was still enough to put the U's on top of the league after Stevenage lost at Tamworth.

But Burr believes, on the balance if play, that his side could have even stopped their hosts from reaching the summit.

He said: "I was pleased, if someone had said to me before the game that we would go somewhere like Oxford and take a point, we would have been happy with that. I just felt that, within the game itself, there were opportunities for us to have done better.

"Particularly in the final third, we could have hurt them a lot more."

Harriers now face a trip to local rivals Worcester City for the straight Monday to play in the County Cup semi-final tonight (7:45pm).

The Aggborough club have sent a smattering of academy players and first-team players for the game, with the likes of Singh, Aaron Farrell and Nathan Hayward all expected to play at St George's Lane.

Burr added: "We have got a small squad here, so it's likely there will be changes. It was a hard game on Saturday, we have a few bumps and bruises and I do feel that one or two of our regulars need to be rested.

"Although there will be a few academy lads, the team that we will put out will be a decent side."