FORMER Harriers hero Michael Gash returned to haunt his former side with an injury-time winner that helped Peterborough Sports knock the Reds out of the FA Trophy.

Gash, a firm favourite with the Aggborough faithful from his time at the club between 2013 and 2015, netted a 93rd minute goal to seal a 1-0 victory at the PIMS Stadium.

It ended Harriers’ interests in this season’s FA Trophy at the Quarter Final stage after the visitors made seven changes to their starting line-up, greater focus presumably on Tuesday’s National League trip to Solihull Moors and the fight for survival.

Aaron Haper-Bailey and Owen Hesketh were handed first starts for the club, while Tom Palmer was started for the first time this campaign. Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kai Lissimore were also among those brought in to the eleven.

In boggy conditions in Peterborough it was something of a war of attrition against the National League North side, with precious few chances to speak of in the early stages.

Oxlade-Chamberlain and Caleb Richards did have first half sights of goal for Harriers, the former firing a free kick over the bar before Richards struck firmly on the angle from inside the area but failed to trouble goalkeeper Peter Crook.

On the stroke of half time, only an inch-perfect sliding tackle from Oxlade-Chamberlain thwarted Sports as Josh McCammon went for goal, Ben Fowkes then heading over with a clear-cut chance just after the restart.

In truth, the home side had control of the game from then on, Ryan Fryatt’s header going close on the hour before Lissimore’s rising drive took Harriers close.

Ashley Hemmings and Amari Morgan-Smith were thrust into the action as second half substitutes and both had opportunities in front of goal, the latter seeing a deflected effort skew off target.

Peterborough then upped the pressure once more and this time in told in dramatic fashion. In the third minute of added time, a surging run took Kaine Felix forward, with Gash charging down the middle in support. In scenes reminiscent of many of his days at Aggborough, the prolific striker took a touch to steady himself before firing past Palmer to find the net.

That sparked wild celebrations from home players, substitutes and fans, Peterborough holding on to secure their place in the Quarter Finals for the first time in their history.

Harriers will now have to dust themselves down for the short journey to Solihull on Tuesday, Moors seeing off Chorley in their Trophy tie.