BOSS Neil MacFarlane was pleased to see his work on the training pitch begin to bear fruit during Harriers' pre-season friendly draw with Aston Villa.

Kidderminster draw 1-1 at Aggborough after Fraser Horsfall's opener was cancelled out by Villa's Harvey Knibbs in the first half.

MacFarlane said: "I'm very pleased. I could see the work we've been working on every single day on the training ground is starting to come to fruition.

"It's early but it's a really good step in our pre-season programme. Both in and out of possession we were really aggressive, we made a number of chances and scored a really good goal from a well-worked free-kick.

"As I said to the players, they need to have a structure and basis to revert back to if things are going wrong in the game. I thought they handled the whole 90 minutes very, very well.

"I think it's important that we give them (the fans) a team that they're happy with but also, from my perspective, I think it's important we create that winning culture. Okay, we've not won the game today but it's a step forward."

The game also saw academy midfielder Harry Stratford start against the Championship outfit.

MacFarlane added: "He's been great everyday in training and we have a group that we're obviously looking to add to but if they are doing well in the academy then they can step up.

"He definitely stepped up to the plate today. He was excellent as I though Harry Higginson was in the second half."