Kidderminster 3, AFC Fylde 3

HARRIERS matched league leaders Fylde in a barnstorming six-goal thriller at Aggborough.

The game swung one way then the other as both sides continued to trade blows throughout in front of a crowd of 1,970 keen to see Kidderminster tested themselves against the pacesetters.

Harriers had twice led through Arthur Gnahoura and Elton Ngwatala and were twice pegged back by the league's only unbeaten side.

The Reds then had to show fighting spirit of their own late in the second half to make sure they took something from the clash.

They did just that with Keith Lowe's header four minutes from time to make sure the breathless clash ended all square.

It was a game that didn't take long to burst into life early on.

The first chance from the even opening exchanges went to Fylde when Sam Finlay pounced on a loose Keith Lowe ball but dragged his effort wide of the far post after just four minutes.

The opener arrived on 13 minutes when Harriers netted with their first chance of the game.

Jordan Tunnicliffe's diagonal ball to the left flank was headed into the danger zone by Ash Carter, advanced from the left back slot he filled in the absence of Zain Francis-Angol.

Arthur Gnahoura raced onto the ball before slotting well under outrushing keeper Rhys Taylor in the Fylde goal.

The hosts, buoyed by the strike, enjoyed much more of the ball for large parts of the half but failed to notch up clear cut chances.

Instead it was Fylde that grew into the clash as the half wore on.

Home keeper Sam Hornby made a quick-fire double save to maintain his side's lead.

First he tipped Bohan Dixon's low drive from distance past the post on 27 minutes before pulling off a brilliant save from the resulting corner.

Prolific forward Danny Rowe rose to meet the corner but saw his header tipped onto the inside of the post by Hornby before the ball was hacked clear off the line.

Hornby was then equal to Rowe's free kick on 33 minutes and delicate header just a couple of minutes later.

Harriers did work a second chance of their own on 37 minutes when Josh McQuilkin's free kick was gathered low by Taylor after Tyrone Williams had advanced to the edge of the box from right back before being brought down.

However, Fylde striker Rowe wasn't to be denied before the break.

Harriers lost the ball trying to break and were punished. The ball was collected by Rowe just over 20 yards out and he powered a right-footed effort past Horny to level matters and bag his 19th of the season.

Not to be disheartened by letting the lead slip just before half time, the Reds were back in front just four minutes into the second period.

Gnahoura collected, turned and slid a through ball to teammate Ngwatala who finished neatly past Taylor once more.

But, just like the first half, the table-toppers responded again and worked hard to find their feet after the set back.

Rowe rattled the base of the post on 65 minutes after turning well on the edge of the box.

Fylde had to wait just three minutes before they found their second equaliser of the contest.

Rowe was in the thick of it once more, this time hitting a first time shot from Finley's cut back. His drive was too much for Hornby to handle and James Hardy was on hand to poke home.

Harriers had their moments just after as McQuilkin saw an effort tipped over and Keith Lowe fired over on the volley as both sides continued to play on the front foot.

Fylde took the lead for the first time on 73 minutes when Hardy netted his second of the game when tapping home a driven cross from Finley.

This time it was up to the home side to show their fight, which is exactly what they did.

They nearly had a leveller on 83 minutes when Dieseruvwe looked to have slid in a low cross from sub Andre Brown. But the ball was hacked clear and Fylde's lead remained intact despite calls from the home fans that the ball had crossed the line.

Harriers secured a well deserved point just three minutes later, however, when Keith Lowe headed past Taylor.

He got on the end of a Tunnicliffe header at the back post to salvage a share of the spoils.

Harriers could have won it in injury time but McQuilkin's curling free kick after a hand ball on the edge of the box was pushed to safety by Taylor.

Ultimately, a point is a fair result from a thrilling encounter that Harriers will take confidence from moving forward.

Not only did they match Fylde's fire power but showed once more the heart to make sure they wouldn't be beaten.

Harriers: Hornby, Williams (Austin 76), Carter (Stambolziev 90), Croasdale (Brown 75), Lowe (c), Tunnicliffe, Waite, McQuilkin, Dieseruvwe, Ngwatala, Gnahoua.

Unused Subs: Thomas, Palmer.

Fylde: Taylor, Holmes, Kennedy, Langley (c), Collins, Bond, Hardy (Jennings 80), Finley (Blinkhorn 84), Rowe, Dixon, Baker (Hughes 54) Unused Subs: Thompson, Tasdemir.