CAMBRIDGE United s stuttering form continued on Saturday, with the U s now going four games without a win. In only their second home defeat of the season, manager Jimmy Quinn made a number of changes, with Mark Peters, Paul Carden, and Stephen Reed comin

CAMBRIDGE United's stuttering form continued on Saturday, with the U's now going four games without a win.

In only their second home defeat of the season, manager Jimmy Quinn made a number of changes, with Mark Peters, Paul Carden, and Stephen Reed coming in alongside keeper Alex McCarthy, who was on work experience from Reading.

Two goals from Matthew Barnes-Homer and an 85th minute penalty from Iyseden Christie saw Kidderminster Harriers home.

However, it was a scoreline that flattered the visitors somewhat, with Kidderminster under pressure for most of the second half, despite their two goals.

And it was perhaps a combination of wasteful finishing and nervous defending that condemned United to their heaviest defeat of the season.

And despite conceding three goals, McCarthy, making a one-off performance for United following Danny Potter's suspension, looked confident, making several key stops.

He was beaten after 27 minutes though, when Barnes-Homer rounded Peters and slotted the ball home.

In the second half, United fared better, with chances falling to Courtney Pitt, Josh Coulson, and Rob Wolleaston, while former Buntingford Town youngster Robbie Willmott came on and impressed in a right wing-back role.

However, against the run of play, Harriers doubled their lead after 66 minutes with Barnes-Homer grabbing his second with another cool finish.

United continued to spurn chances, with stand-in captain Wayne Hatswell wasting another opportunity.

And the skipper was then involved in the visitors' third, when he felled Brian Smikle in the box, and the penalty was fired home by Christie.

The defeat leaves Cambridge just three points clear of sixth-placed Exeter, who have two games in hand.

However, United have the perfect chance to bounce back when they travel to basement boys Droylsden on Saturday.