Harriers 1, Shrewsbury 1

REECE Styche bagged his first goal for Harriers at Aggborough as they battled out a satisfying friendly draw against League Two Shrewsbury.

Styche looked sharp throughout as a strong looking Kidderminster side were given a good test by their higher ranked rivals.

But Shrewsbury deservedly bagged a leveller through hitman James Collins.

Interestingly, Harriers fielded Torquay left-back Kevin Nicholson.

 The 33-year-old is a free agent after leaving Torquay and is training with the club.

They certainly got a good luck as he produced a solid display for the full game.

With Marvin Johnson still out with a knee injury, Ahmed Obeng was handed a start after his impressive cameo against Birmingham.

After a fairly even start, Shrewsbury midfielder Liam Lawrence drove in a shot from the edge of the area, which keeper Jasbir Singh saved comfortably.

But the hosts opened the scoring in the 18th minute.

Obeng did well to pounce on Jermaine Grandison's  poor back pass and he slipped the ball to Reece Styche who fired home at the second attempt.

Harriers were on top and Josh Gowling bulleted a header just wide at a corner.

But Lawrence continued to be a threat and in the 36th minute he saw a well-struck free-kick fly a fraction over the top right post.

Harriers made their first change in the 50th minute when Jake Green replaced Jared Hodgkiss.

Shrewsbury pushed on and Collins directed a firm header off target before Andy Robinson's well-struck free-kick was deflected over the bar.

The game was disrupted by a flurry of substitutions for both sides but replacement Andy Mangan made an immediate impact 60 seconds after coming on.

He set up Collins, who chested the ball down and finished well to make it 1-1 in the 72nd minute.

Mangan continued to pose a threat and his 20-yard effort called Singh into action.

Former Shrewsbury keeper Singh made another fine save in the 87th minute, blocking Collins' far post head and Gowling cleared the danger before Mangan could pounce.

Harriers: Singh, Hodgkiss (Green, 50), Nicholson, Byrne, Gash (Hales, 71), Styche (Reid, 77), Obeng, Grimes (Dunkley, 60), Verma (O'Keefe, 60), Gittings, Gowling.

Subs not used:  Lewis.

Shrewsbury: Leutwiler (Burton, 70), Gayle, Demetriou, Lawrence (Wood, 70), Grandison, Knight-Percival, Clarke, Wildig, Collins, Robinson (Mangan, 70),  Caton (Vincent, 70).

Subs not used: Goldson, Ellis,  Smith, Ginnelly.

Referee: Bobby Jones.

Attendance: 1,010