Neil Howarth has said that Harriers will need to keep an eye on the big picture after extending their unbeaten run today, despite falling far short of their Christmas targets.

Boss Mark Yates had said before the festive period that he wanted a maximum return of nine points from the three Christmas & New Year fixtures.

But, draws against Forest Green on Boxing Day and Oxford this afternoon have seen just two points taken from six - leaving the game against Forest Green on New Year's day all the more vital.

Following today's game, though, Assistant Boss Howarth was remaining upbeat.

Whilst a different combination of results over the last week may have given the side more points, he insisted that the intact unbeaten streak and impressive performances are still huge positives.

"We played very well and created a lot of chances; we did everything but score really," said Howarth, after the 0-0 draw.

"It's disappointing - we've had six or seven goal-line scrambles where we were just waiting for the ball to hit the net and it never quite happened.

"If we have to take the performance and an extra point and build on that in the coming games then so be it.

"We were very good at Forest Green and today, performance-wise we were even better and we've come away with two points - whereas if we'd won one and lost one, we'd have an extra point.

"But you have to look at the bigger picture - we're five unbeaten now and if we can extend that into double-figures then results like this will look like points won rather than dropped."

There was praise from Howarth for the Harriers' defence, who restricted established and threatening forwards Yemi Odubade and Robert Duffy to little more than mere scraps today.

He added: "In Odubade and Duffy they've got proven players at this level, and the fact that we were able to keep them quiet for the entire game is a testament to the boys at the back."

Looking forward to the New Year's Day clash, Harriers find themselves back at Aggborough for the first time since December 6.

They'll once again be up against the Rovers side who played their part in an entertaining exchange on Boxing Day.

Howarth commented: "They're a good side. It'll be nice to play at home and I'm sure there will be a good crowd to urge us on.

"We took almost 500 fans to Forest Green the other day and those that went saw a good game.

"It won't be easy [on Tuesday] but we've got nothing to be scared of."