Harriers 1, Altrincham 0

ARTHUR Gnahoua bagged the winner as Harriers won a tense affair at Aggborough on Bank Holiday Monday.

The gifted Frenchman scored just before half-time to settle a game that the hosts could have won at a canter if they had taken their chances.

The hosts had dominated the first half but despite a host of corners and pressure they could not get the all-important goal until Gnahoua struck in the 44th minute.

After the break, Kidderminster continued to toil against a side that had yet to win. Game this season.

Harriers started slowly against managerless Altrincham and the visitors threatened early on.

Emile Sinclair-Hutton rolled a shot wide of Kidderminster's goal in the seventh minute.

Jake Moult then steered a 20-yard effort over the bar.

Slowly but surely Harriers worked their way into the game and it needed a full-stretch diving save from Andrew Dawber to tip away Tyrell Waite's well-placed header.

The hosts were increasing the tempo and Keith Lowe fired over from a corner, before Mani Dieseruvwe saw a first time effort saved by Dawber.

James McQuilkin was picked up his fifth booking of the season when he went down in the box looking for a penalty in the 42nd minute.

But the hosts finally broke the deadlock in the 44th in a well-crafted move.

James McQuilkin's excellent pass released Waite down the right and the winger sped into the box and found Gnahoua, who slammed his effort into the roof of the net.

Harriers maintained the pressure from the restart with a series of corners and dangerous crosses.

Altrincham substitute Billy Hassler-Cregg tried a lofted effort in the 53rd minute which dipped just over the bar.

The hosts were hogging the ball and pushing their opponents back but struggling to create clear cut scoring chances.

Harriers midfielder Ryan Croasdale was tugged back unceremoniously by James Lawrie.

Lawrie nearly pulled back a spectacular leveller in the 62nd minute when he spotted keeper Sam Hornby off his line but his Beckhamesque effort was just over the bar.

Manager John Eustace made his first change in the 63rd minute when the out of sorts Elton Ngwatala came off for Liam Truslove.

Eustace and coach Matt Gardiner sensed their side fading and started urging them to liven up from the technical area.

In the 82nd minute Harriers nearly added a second but Dawber parried Gnahoua's firm effort.

Waite then flashed a low left-footed shot across the face of goal, while substitute Andre Brown headed over the bar.

But the hosts survived a tense four minute extra time period to seal their four win of the season.

Harriers: Hornby, Williams, Francis-Angol (Stambolziev, 67), Lowe, Tunnicliffe, Croasdale, Ngwatala (Truslove, 63), McQuilkin, Dieseruvwe (Brown, 85), Gnahoua, Waite.

Sub not used: Thomas, Austin.

Altrincham: Dawber, Heathcote, Sumner, Moult, Cyrus, Moran, Richman (Bell, 76), Lynch (Hartersley, 66), Sinclair-Hutton (Hassler-Cregg, 46), Reeves, Lawrie.

Subs: Goodall, Caim.

Referee: Aaron Jackson.

Attendance: 1489 (72)