KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Mark Yates and assistant Neil Howarth have signed two-year contracts to keep them at Aggborough until 2009.

The management duo agreed a deal with Harriers chairman Barry Norgrove on Friday after months of hard work behind the scenes by all three parties.

Norgrove believes the duo, who took charge at Harriers in January 2006, now have the licence to build on what they have achieved so far at the club.

"I'm delighted that Mark and Neal have signed new contracts," said Norgrove.

"We've been in talks since March but with the FA Trophy Final there has been little time to sort out the contracts out until now.

"Both Mark and Neil work incredibly hard behind the scenes to try and make sure the club is going in the right direction.

"I'm pleased for them because they are two local lads who have done an excellent job since taking over."

The management team have wasted little time re-shaping Harriers in the last 18 months, building a completely new squad in a short period of time.

The high-point of their time at Harriers has been guiding the team to the FA Carlsberg Trophy Final, which they lost in a memorable game 3-2 to Stevenage Borough in May.

In their full season in charge the duo have brought together a young squad, which went on a impressive unbeaten run in the middle of the season, before the effects of a long hard campaign took their toll in the final few weeks of the Conference and saw them finish to tenth.

But with expectations around the club high the chairman is confident Yates and Howarth are closing in on new signings to turn Harriers into genuine contenders for promotion.

Norgrove said "Mark and Neal have built up the nucleus of a good squad and with the players they are trying to bring in we'll be able to push on for the play-offs or even promotion automatically.

"At the moment it looks like Mark's targets are all close to signing so fans can be sure there is a lot to look forward this season."