Harriers 2
Crawley 0

GOALS in each half ensured Harriers rose to seventh in the Blue Square Premier and defeated play-off rivals Crawley at Aggborough on Tuesday night.

An own-goal in the first half and Justin Richards' 17th strike of the season ensured Harriers avenged December's defeat in Sussex.

Manager Mark Yates handed starts to Justin Richards and Russ Penn.

Richards marked his first start in two games with his best performance in some time.

The game started scrappily and Crawley had the best chance early on but Simon Weatherstone's low 20-yard shot flew wide of Adam Bartlett's right post.

Chris McPhee was blocked by keeper Simon Rayner and from the resulting corner the hosts took the lead.

Keith Lowe's near-post header hit defender Glenn Wilson and flew into the back of his own net in the 28th minute.

The goal filled Harriers with confidence and Darryl Knights, who was influential throughout the game, was unfortunate not to score.

Richards had teased Crawley's defence and set up Knights but his first-time volley hit the underside of the bar and bounced to safety.

Harriers continued to be the best side in the second half and Richards finished off from close range in the 63rd minute.

The Red Devils tried to hit back but could not find a way through Harriers' well-drilled defence.

Late on substitute Lewis Killeen hit the bar but that would have been harsh on the home side, who had been the better team.

Harriers: Bartlett 6; Baker 6; Creighton 7; KNIGHTS 9 (Smikle, 86); Barnes-Homer 7; Penn 7 (Carr, 93); Richards 8 (Moore, 90); Riley 6; Bennett 6; Lowe 7; McPhee 6.

Unused substitutes: Jones; Moore; Brittain.

Crawley: Rayner; Gaia; Rents; Weatherstone; Giles (Pinault, 55); Wright; Bulman; Matthews; Wilson (Killeen, 80); Shaw (Rankin, 76); Malcolm.

Unused substitutes: Forrest; Quinn.

Referee: A Hendley (West Midlands). Attendance: 1,211 (15)