HARRIERS missed out on the chance to make up more ground in their battle for survival after being held to a 0-0 draw at home to Dorking Wanderers.

After thrilling 4-2 and 3-2 victories in their last two home matches, the home faithful were comparatively starved of action against Wanderers, who seemed far happier with their share of the spoils.

It ended a four-match winning run in the National League under Phil Brown’s stewardship for Harriers, who were left to take solace in a clean sheet and the fact the result did little to alter the picture at the bottom of the division.

After bowing out of the FA Trophy last time out at the hands of National League North side Peterborough Sports with a much-changed side, boss Phil Brown opted to make six changes to his starting eleven, more or less restoring the side to the league outfit that last featured against Oxford City.

Christian Dibble, Reiss McNally, Amari Morgan-Smith, Ashley Hemmings, Jack Lambert and Shane Byrne all came back into the reckoning, while new midfield man Regan Griffiths was afforded a spot on the bench having signed for the club earlier in the week.

It was a game of precious few chances and, unlike recent league games, never truly looked like being one that threatened to become anything else.

It took 15 minutes for any sort of chance to emerge. After a quiet opening, Ashley Hemmings exploded into life down the Harriers right, darting past a collective of Dorking players before whipping a cross into the area that Sam Bellis met with a glancing header that drifted wide of the target.

Eight minutes before the interval, Harrison Male was called into action for the first time. Reiss McNally’s shot was blocked behind for a corner, from which Hemmings drove at goal, his attempt tipped wide.

Six after the hour, there was a Harriers debut for Griffiths and, within two minutes, he was taking aim at goal after a gap in the Dorking rearguard presented itself, his final effort firing wide of the near post.

At the other end, Harriers stopper Christian Dibble endured a similarly quiet afternoon, but did have one save to make with 20 left to play as he parried a rising effort from Josh Taylor.

The hone side fashioned the last of the day’s chances in the second minute of added time, but Shane Byrne’s effort in meeting Gold Omotayo’s knock-down was well met by Male.

Next up for Harriers are a trio of away trips – journeys to Solihull and Woking coming after a trek to Oldham Athletic on February 24th.