Moors fell to their first home league defeat since the beginning of December as Kidderminster Harriers enjoyed their first-ever win at The Brewery Field on Saturday.
Jason Ainsley’s men fell behind to an early stunner from Amari Morgan-Smith but answered back almost immediately when in-form Paul Blackett lobbed home a leveller.
However, a scramble in the area following an error from loan keeper Dan Langley proved the decisive moment as defender Reiss McNally bundled in the winning goal just before half time.
Moors were unchanged from the side which drew 2-2 with King’s Lynn Town in midweek, though the were boosted by the return of Lebrun Mbeka to the bench after hamstring trouble.
Harriers were looking to hit back after a surprise home defeat to Scarborough Athletic seven days ago and got off to the perfect start when Morgan-Smith’s wicked, swerving volley from 30 yards flashed in off the far post with only nine minutes on the clock.
Moors didn’t sulk though and were back on level terms three minutes later when Glen Taylor’s flick found Blackett and his instinctive lobbed finish found the net to make it 1-1.
Chances were few and far between during the remainder of a cagey first half, but Harriers got back in front seven minutes before the break when Langley couldn’t hold a cross from the left and McNally was in the right place convert.
Langley then made a stunning save down low to his right from Morgan-Smith as Harriers threatened to increase their lead before half time.
Russell Penn’s visitors managed the second half in a professional manner and didn’t allow Moors to build much in the way of momentum, though Corey McKeown came close to equalising when his drive was brilliantly headed off the line by experienced defender Krystian Pearce.
Reece Kendall was almost the hero for Moors in the final minute when he met Mark Anderson’s corner with a powerful header, but Kidderminster keeper Tom Palmer reacted quickly to tip it over the bar.
Full Time: Moors 1 Kidderminster Harriers 2
Moors: Langley, Faulkner (Anderson 69), Tait, Curtis, Lufudu, Ross, Ramshaw, McKeown (Shanks 78), Kendall, Blackett, Taylor (Mbeka 46).
Subs not used: Flatters, Wombwell.
Booked: Ross (45), Curtis (73).
Kidderminster Harriers: Palmer, Morrison, Pearce, McNally, Foulkes, Lissimore, Byrne, Owen-Evans (Leak 90), Hemmings, McGlynn (Freemantle 79), Morgan-Smith.
Subs not used: Dibble, Brown, Bearne.
Booked: Palmer (90), Freemantle (90).
Referee: John Mulligan
Attendance: 1,367 (75 Kidderminster)
