HARRIERS picked up a first win of the new league season with a deserved 1-0 success at York after a resolute showing on the road.

Amari Morgan-Smith’s late goal – his and the team’s first of the campaign – sealed three points that sees Harriers make it four points from six this term, without having conceded a goal.

Early in the term it may be, but the importance of the win wasn’t lost on Assistant Manager Jimmy O’Connor, who knew the value of not going too long after promotion without that first victory.

“We’re chuffed to bits,” he said at full time.

“It’s our first win at the level for seven years. Credit to the players, it's one you don’t want to talk about, but you want to get it done quickly.

“It’s all very well playing well, but if you go three or four games and drawing them all and not quite getting that win, it can become a bit of a burden.

“We’re delighted to get it done and dusted and I thought it was thoroughly deserved.”

Morgan-Smith nodded in off the underside of the bar on 83 minutes at the LNER Stadium for the game’s only goal and after the visitors had soaked up their fair spell of pressure.

The first half had been a different story. Zak Brown went close on numerous occasions before Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain planted a header wide when unmarked at the far post.

Morgan-Smith signalled his intent before the break when his half-volley was well saved by veteran custodian David Stockdale.

In the end, Harriers weren’t to be denied their win, and a good save from Christian Dibble on 89 minutes helped secure it as he denied former Hereford favourite Maz Kouhyar.

It sadly wasn’t all great news for the Hoo Road outfit as O’Connor and boss Russ Penn were forced to watch Zak Brown and Matt Preston withdraw through injury.

This came just days after the club confirmed skipper Shane Byrne would miss several months of action due to a knee injury sustained against Woking on the opening day.

It’s thought the midfielder will require surgery to address the issue and will be unlikely to return until the New Year.

Added injuries were a concern at York, then, with O’Connor adding: “There’s a couple of niggles and that’s the physicality and the intensity of this division.

“We’re an emotional team and a physical team and we leave it all out there. Sometimes you get injuries because of it.

“What I will say on the flipside is that the three lads who came on were absolutely outstanding.

“Credit to them. It’s a squad game and they’re all going to be needed.”

Harriers are back in action at Aggborough against Bromley on Saturday afternoon (3pm), but not before a midweek trek to AFC Fylde on Tuesday night.