KEVIN Nicholson says it's a bittersweet return to former stamping ground Torquay as Harriers look to get back to winning ways.

The left-back, 34, returns to the club he made 314 appearances for over seven years for the first time since he was released in the summer.

But much to his concern, both sides seem beset by off the field problems and in the doldrums on the pitch.

Harriers have not won in eight games, while the Gulls' hopes of bouncing back from their relegation to the Vanarama Conference were dashed and have picked up just one point in the last seven games.

Nicholson scored his only goal of the season against Torquay at Aggborough and he'll be hoping to break the club's goal drought. A Harriers player has not scored in six games.

Torquay also suffered a humiliating 5-1 home loss to Braintree on Tuesday, their biggest home defeat in nearly 20 years.

He said: "I still live in the town and the club is close to me and to be honest, I did avoid watching them for a while.

"But I did a bit of radio commentary in the FA Trophy and really enjoyed it. I also scouted the game against Braintree.

"Harriers are Torquay are in similar situations. We both had good starts to the season and there's been some off the pitch issues and they have eventually taken their toll.

"It was only a few weeks ago we were still chasing the play-offs but we're on a bad run and confidence is low.

"I thought we did well to carry on the push for as long as we did but now both teams have very little to play for.

"It's shame both sides aren't still in with a chance because the crowd would be larger and there'd be a great atmosphere.

"It's important that Harriers get some results and build some momentum, which is important for next season."

Harriers' hopes of going up were ground to a halt after confidence sapping run, which has taken three points out of 24.

"When our chances of making the play-offs were finished, I was crushed," added the defender.

"If we had taken six points against Nuneaton, Gateshead or Halifax then I believe we'd still be pushing for the play-offs.

"I remember waking up on a Sunday morning and the realisation that we weren't in with a chance of promotion hit me hard."

Jack Byrne (hamstring) and Craig Reid are both set to miss out because of injuries but Ahmed Obeng and Jamie Spencer, who looked bright in the 2-0 loss to Dover, may keep their places in the side.

With the majority of the squad out of contract in the summer, Nicholson is keen for a return next season.

"I am be 34 but I still feel 22. I keep telling the younger guys to make the most of your careers because they are so short.

"But the hunger increases, the play-offs, promotion, playing at Wembley, I still want all of that.

"The manager has done a great job considering the problems he and Mark Creighton had to deal with.

"I still want to play next season and stay at Harriers but in football you can't always predict what is going happen."

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