Wrexham 2
Harriers 2

HARRIERS came from behind twice to earn a share of the spoils in a frenetic Conference clash at the Racecourse Ground on Tuesday night.

The Aggborough outfit grabbed a battling draw in an encounter where driving rain and swirling winds made it difficult for both defences.

Wrexham defender Mike Williams had twice fired the Dragons ahead but goals for Brian Smikle and Chris McPhee restored parity.

Keeper Dean Coleman also ensured Harriers made it seven points from the last three games with some fine saves but he almost paid the price for a lack of concentration in the final minute, only for Marc Williams to miss the target.

Manager Mark Yates made one change to the side that defeated Kettering 2-0 four days before, calling David McDermott into midfield.

On-loan Peterborough defender Daniel Andrew kept his place at left-back, while Lee Baker, returning after a three-match ban, took his place on a strong looking substitute's bench alongside with Darryl Knights.

Harriers went into the match in buoyant mood after impressive wins over Blue Square Premier leaders Oxford and the promotion-chasing Poppies.

In contrast, Dean Saunders' outfit had not won at home since the 2-1 victory over Grays on October 17.

The match was been officiated by referee Richard Wigglesworth, who controversially sent off striker Robbie Matthews in Harriers' 2-1 league loss to Luton in October.

Harriers tested keeper Chris Maxwell in the third minute, when Andrew swung in a free-kick and Smikle sent in a header which the Dragons' shot-stopper tipped over.

The visitors seemed to be struggling to get to grips with a soggy pitch and Wrexham started to press them back.

However, Harriers still posed a threat and Robbie Matthews had a half chance when he headed McPhee's right wing cross wide.

They were presented with a decent opportunity to open the scoring in the 15th minute, when Dean Bennett was scythed down by Christian Smith just out side Wrexham's box, as the Welsh side tried to clear a corner, but Andrew's free-kick flew well wide.

But the game roared into life after 20 minutes when both teams spurned good chances to open the scoring.

Harriers keeper Dean Coleman did well to dive to his right and get a hand to Marc Williams' fine shot after a fine run down the right flank by Adrian Cieslewicz.

Less than 60 seconds later, Matthew Barnes-Homer shot over from close range after Maxwell could only parry McDermott's dangerous low ball into the striker's path.

But the home side took the lead in the 26th minute when Wes Baynes' free-kick from the left flank was missed by the Harriers and the unmarked Mike Williams slid into the bundle the ball into the back of the net.

Barnes-Homer almost produced an immediate reply when his low 25-yard effort was spilled by Maxwell.

But Smikle slammed home his first in eight games when he fired home the ball into the back of the net in the 33rd minute.

Harriers' good work was undone in the 35th minute, when the unmarked Mike Williams took advantage of poor defending to head Wrexham back into the lead from a corner.

The away side almost levelled the scores again but were denied by desperate Wrexham defending. Smikle saw his shot from 10-yards out parried by Maxwell and Curtis Obeng's solid block denied Barnes-Homer as he stole in.

The away side survived a scare when Wes Baynes' vicious in-swinging corner opened up their defence but a diving Coleman and a mass of Harriers player clear the ball away.

But McPhee levelled the scores in the 44th minute, when McDermott's shot was parried by the keeper and Matthews cleverly nudged it to Harriers skipper at the right post, who made no mistake from seven yards out.

Wrexham started the second half brightly, with Neil Taylor directing a header at Coleman and Marc Williams seeing a rising 20-yard effort fly just off target.

Coleman kept the scores level in the 59th minute when he dived full-stretch to get a hand to Andy Fleming's 30-yard effort, which look destined to fly into his top left corner.

The keeper was beaten when the lively Adrian Cieslewicz skipped past him but the wideman shot wide of an open goal.

Yates threw on Baker and Knights to pep up Harriers but Wrexham continued to look the side more likely to score.

Baynes lashed a firm effort across the face of Coleman's goal in the 67th minute.

A great chance fell to Smikle in the 71st minute when he raced into the area to meet Baker's free-kick but he headed it wide.

As the game wore on, the rain continued to hammer down and with 10 minutes to go both sets of players were struggling to stay on their feet.

Coleman came to Harriers' rescue in the 84th minute when he pushed Obeng's shot behind after a lightning Wrexham counter-attack.

But the away side needed a large slice of luck to return to Worcestershire with a point as Coleman's weak goal-kicked was charged down by Marc Williams, but the ball flew just wide of goal.

Harriers: Coleman; Courtney; Caines; Riley; Andrew (Baker, 58); Smikle; McDermott (Knights, 63); McPhee; Bennett; Matthews; Barnes-Homer (Farrell, 85).

Unused substitutes: Singh; Hadley.

Wrexham: Maxwell; Obeng; Westwood; Mike Williams; Marc Williams; N Taylor (Jones, 70); Sinclair; Cieslewicz; Baynes; Fleming; Smith.

Unused substitutes: G Taylor; Fairhurst; McCluskey; Wolfenden.

Referee: Richard Wigglesworth. Attendance: 2,086 (128)