Harriers 5, Darlington 2

HARRIERS picked up their first win of the season as they overcame 10-man Darlington at Aggborough.

A first half brace from Joe Ironside set them on their way to their first three points.

Their task was made much easier after Joe Wheatley saw red in the first half with the clash goalless.

Darlington did find the net twice thanks to a spirited second half showing but further goals from Fraser Horsfall, Ed Williams and Declan Weeks made sure Kidderminster came out on top.

The home side had enjoyed a spell of early possession and forced the first save of the game when Jonathan Maddison had to tip Weeks' 25 yard shot over the bar after seven minutes.

Williams then drilled an effort over from the edge of the box moments later as pressure continued to build.

Weeks was heavily involved in the opening exchanges and he again fired narrowly wide from 30 yards after finding more space outside the box.

Darlington were reduced to 10 men on 17 minutes as Wheatley flew in recklessly on Weeks in midfield.

Stephen Thompson did curl a free-kick just wide of Brandon Hall's post on 22 minutes for the visitors but it wasn't long until Harriers were quickly on the front foot again.

Chambers failed to convert two big chances before the host finally broke the deadlock on the half hour mark.

Referee Barry Lamb quickly pointed to the spot after Dominic Collins fouled Fraser Horsfall as a Reds corner come in. Ironside stepped up to slot home for the lead.

The striker was denied a second on 36 minutes when his header was cleared off the line by Simon Ainge but he didn't have to wait long for another.

He was on hand just two minutes later to head home Joel Taylor's lofted cross from the left to make sure his side took in a two-goal advantage at the break.

Darlington came out more positive in the second half and pulled on back after just eight minutes.

Ainge was on hand to squeeze the ball home at the far post when it had been headed back across the area after a corner was half cleared.

The away side were back in the game despite Lee Vaughan's attempted goal-line clearance.

Harriers needed to up their effort again and did it to restore their two-goal lead on 62 minutes.

Ed Williams broke from midfield, held off the challenge of the back-tracking Reece Styche and guided a neat finish into the bottom right corner.

However, still the home side's defensive frailties were evident as Darlington pulled another back.

Sub Jordon Nicholson got in too easily down the Harriers left before firing low under Hall to keep his side in the contest on 67 minutes.

Harriers again answered with another themselves. This time Horsfall poked home Weeks' free-kick to the far post on 73 minutes.

Weeks completed the job in injury time when he rounded off a good Harriers break with a neat lobbed finish after he'd collected Vaughan's ball to the far post.

Neil MacFarlane's men will now head to Curzon Ashton next Saturday as they look to maintain their unbeaten start.

Harriers: Hall, Vaughan, Taylor (Austin 68), O'Connor (c), Horsfall, Johnson, Weeks, Daniels (Baxendale 75), Ironside, Chambers (Richards 75), Williams.

Unused sub: Truslove, Digie.

Darlington: Maddison, Trotman, Gilbraith, Elliot, Burn, Collins (O'Hanlon 40), Henshall, Wheatley (Hughes 199, Styche (c), Ainge (Nicholson 65), Thompson.

Unused subs: Saunders, Syers.

Att: 1,522.