Wrexham 2, Harriers 1

HARRIERS will need to beat Wrexham in the play-off semi-final second leg to keep their promotion dream alive, after they were edged out in an even affair in North Wales.

Steve Burr's side had battled back after David Artell had fired the Dragons ahead thanks to Michael Gash's penalty.

But Wrexham defender Neil Ashton handed the hosts a slender lead from the spot.

Burr chose the same side which put Stockport to the sword only three days before.

In contrast, Wrexham player/boss Andy Morrell made nine alterations from the team which was edged out by champions Mansfield at the weekend.

Defender Artell also started after his suspension for a sending off at Field Mill was squashed by the Welsh FA.

Wrexham also fielded two former Kidderminster players Martin Riley and Dean Keates, although ex-captain Mark Creighton missed out as he continues to find match sharpness following a season out injured.

With a place at Wembley at stake for the winners over two legs, there was much to play for and a vastly experienced Wrexham side settled much quicker than the visitors.

The Dragons looked dangerous in the air and Artell saw a header fly a few feet over the bar.

Former Southampton striker Brett Ormerod drew a fine save from keeper Danny Lewis early on.

Midfielder Jay Harris flashed a header just wide as the away side struggled to settle.

Going forward, the visitors were struggling to find their normal passing game, with Michael Gash failing to find strike partner Anthony Malbon.

Malbon, who has scored 20 goals, was struggling without any service and the closest he get was a close range effort which was blocked by keeper Chris Maxwell.

Harriers suffered a setback when midfielder James Vincent limped off and was replaced by Keith Briggs in the 39th minute.

The away team were trying to hold out until the break but they fell behind on the stroke of half-time.

Ormerod crossed from the right and Artell got above Kyle Storer at the far post to head home.

Johnny Hunt was shown a yellow card for a foul on Harriers' right back Lee Vaughan.

Wrexham nearly added a second three minutes after the re-start. Ormerod got the better of Mickey Demetriou and raced down the left but Hunt blazed wide.

But Harriers were looking more proactive and they were handed a chance to level the scores when Riley brought down Malbon  in the box with a reckless tackle from behind.

Striker Gash was the coolest man of the pitch as he waited for what seemed an eternity while the home fans tried to put him off, before slotting the spot-kick straight down the middle to make it 1-1.

Harriers continued to take the game to the home team and the arrival of substitute Martin Devaney only increased their urgency.

Harriers though had to be careful and it took a fine tackle by Storer to win the ball off Ormerod as he charged towards goal.

Midfielder Danny Jackman saw a well-hit low effort called Wrexham stopper Maxwell into action.

But another penalty changed the impetus of the match again. Josh Gowling accidentally caught Ormerod while trying to clear a Dele Adebola knockdown and Ashton slotted the resulting penalty into the bottom left corner.

That goal ensured the Welsh side take a slight advantage into the second leg of the semi-final at Aggborough on Sunday.

Harriers: Lewis, L Vaughan, Demetriou, Storer, Vincent (Briggs, 39), Malbon, Johnson (Devaney, 61),, Gash, Dunkley, Gowling.

Subs not used: N Vaughan, Williams, Rowe.

Wrexham: Maxwell, Wright, Ashton, Riley, Harris, Ormerod, Morrell (Adebola, 73) Keates, Clarke, Hunt, Artell.

Subs not used: Coughlin, Cieslewicz, Little, Clowes.

Referee: Charles Breakspear.

Attendance: 6,315 (547)