Manager Chris Wilder says his table-topping Oxford United team have to take Saturday's defeat "on the chin" – and now go on another unbeaten run.

The U's lost for only the second time this season as they went down 3-1 at Kidderminster on an afternoon when few played well.

Wilder says it is something he has seen so often, when a team follows up an exciting win with a flat performance, and they must now get it out of their system.

Harriers hit United with a goal in the second minute, and Wilder's men were chasing the game from then on.

He said afterwards: “To go a goal down after 90 seconds was very disappointing. We got ourselves back in it but then for 20 minutes we played Mickey Mouse football.

“In that dressing room ,there are not many players that can come out with much credit really.

“But the roof hasn't caved in, we've got to dust ourselves down and go again – and go on another unbeaten run.”

Oxford's lead at the top was cut to five points as all their main rivals won.

The U's boss added: “They are two very different emotions on successive weekends. But we didn't go over the top when we beat Yeovil and we won't go over the top after this defeat. After all, we're in November and we've lost only two games.

“We've got a genuine and honest bunch of footballers here and they'll be hurting.”

However, he was upset at the way his team uncharacteristically allowed the opposition to take charge.

“For the first and third goals we've not stopped crosses coming in.

“The most disappointing thing for me is that I didn't think Kidderminster had to work that hard for the win.

“It was comical defending from us and we handed the initiative over to them.

“It was a real poor performance, but we're still in a decent position and we move on.“ A further blow for United was that striker Matt Green hobbled off with an ankle injury.