Josh Parker double not enough for City as Kidderminster come from behind at Aggborough.

Kidderminster Harriers 3

Morgan-Smith 57'

Lambert 74'

Omotayo 78'

Oxford City 2

Parker 17', 43' (pen)

Despite racing into a two-goal lead, Oxford City were the victims of a miraculous comeback at Aggborough, as they were beaten 3-2 at Kidderminster Harriers. 

The Hoops had controlled the first-half and deservedly went into the interval two goals to the good after Josh Parker's double.

However, a rejuvenated Harriers side came flying out of the traps in the second-half, as goals from Amari Morgan-Smith, Jack Lambert & Gold Omotayo stunned City.

Selection

Three new arrivals were announced just before the match.

Full-back Harry Birtwistle joined the club on loan from Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers, Striker Harvey Greenslade joined on loan from EFL League One side Bristol Rovers, and Centre-Half Giles Phillips signed on a permanent basis after leaving Irish side Waterford.

All three players gained a place on the substitutes bench.

Elsewhere, Josh Ashby made his first start in the National League since September, and Marcin Brzozowski kept his spot in between the sticks.

First-Half

The Hoops had to wether an early storm in the first ten minutes of the match. However, Zak Brown's effort from the edge of the box was the only chance worth noting from the hosts. His effort flew wide of the post.

Although, the opening goal of the game came from a fantastic team move. Josh Ashby surged forward from the midfield and played the ball out to the right-wing and the onrushing Aaron Williams-Bushell.

The wing-back then sent an inch-perfect cross into the box, and Parker rose highest to head past Christian Dibble in the Kidderminster goal. A great move capped off by a great goal.

If you were watching this match, you'd have thought Valentine's Day had come early with the amount of cards that referee Gary Parsons dished out.

The man in the middle brandished a total of eight yellow cards in this game, as well as one red card.

That red card was issued to Kidderminster manager Phil Brown after thirty eight minutes for dissent.

The hosts were backed by a boisterous crowd of over 3,000, and every decision that went against the hosts was met with raucous jeers as the atmosphere started to crank up. 

Furthermore, the pressure hit boiling point when the Hoops were awarded a penalty two minutes before the break.

Reece Fleet burst into the box only to be hauled down by a Kidderminster defender. Penalty City.

Parker stepped up to take the spot kick in front of a packed terrace of Harriers' fans trying their best to distract the Antiguan striker.

Although, Parker (as we've come accustomed to) was composure personified as he buried the ball into the bottom-left hand corner of the net, sending Dibble the wrong way.

There were unsavoury scenes in the celebrations as the City striker was targeted by a bottle thrown from the home terrace, but luckily the missile didn't hit the striker.

Half-Time: Kidderminster 0-2 Oxford City

Second-Half

In front of the vociferous home crowd, the atmosphere was playing having a big influence on the match. 

Phil Brown's Kidderminster had hauled themselves back into the survival picture since taking over, and the Harriers supporters were backing their team in partizan fashion over every decision that did or didn't fall their way.

All that was needed was one moment to set the tinder box alight, and that came just before the hour mark when Morgan-Smith pulled a goal back for the hosts.

His powerful strike flew over the head of Brzozowski and crashed down off the crossbar and over the line to bring the hosts back into the contest.

That was all that was needed at Aggborough to turn the tide as Kidderminster started to force their way back into the contest.

However, this time, the Hoops couldn't keep out the equaliser which came fifteen minutes from time.

Marcin Brzozowski was having a superb game for City after claiming the number one shirt, but football is a cruel game.

The City stopper looked to hold onto a pass, but when the ball bobbled through his fingertips and bounced into the path of Jack Lambert, the Hoops could do nothing about the Kidderminster midfielder smashing the ball into the empty net. 2-2.

That goal stunned City, and just four minutes later, they were behind. Furthermore, it was a goal that was all too simple for City's relegation rivals.

The Hoops defence had dropped deep, and when a cross was floated into the box, Gold Omotayo powered a header into the back of the net.

A tough defeat to take for City in agonising circumstances. However, they won't have long to feel sorry for themselves.

Tuesday evening's trip to Woking gives the squad the ideal opportunity to bounce back in the National League.

Match Details

Attendance: 3,298 (49 Oxford City)

Oxford City Starting XI: 

Brzozowski; Burley, Ashby (Coyle 71'), Kirby (Giles 67'), Roddy, Fleet (C), Roberts, Parker, Smith (Greenslade 80'), Williams-Bushell, Carroll

Subs not used: Potter, Birtwistle

Kidderminster Harriers XI: 

Dibble, Penny, Richards, McNally, Morgan-Smith, Hemmings (Pearce 90'), Lambert, Brown, Preston (Harper-Bailey 34'), Bellis (Omotayo 60'), Byrne (C)

Subs not used: Oxlaide-Chamberlain, Hesketh