Harriers 1
Cambridge 0

HITMAN Darryl Knights produced a sparkling performance and earned the man of the match award as Harriers stopped the rot with a well-deserved win at Aggborough on Tuesday night.

Steve Burr's troops ended a seven-match sequence without a win and stopped a U's side that had not lost in 10 games with some thrusting attacking football.

If there had been any justice Knights could have capped a brilliant display with a goal.

He had been restored to the side after missing the defeat to Salisbury on Saturday and tested keeper Simon Brown inside the third minute.

After swapping passes with Dean Bennett, the diminutive hitman made a determined run goalwards before his rising effort was beat away by the shot-stopper.

Infact, Harriers were the most proactive side, with rookie midfielder Jack Byrne doing his best to get on the ball and dictate the play, but apart from Knights' early effort, the hosts had not carved open the U's.

But they ended a three-match run without a goal in the 18th minute when Brian Smikle raced onto Knight's clever flick and calmly slipped a low effort past the keeper.

Harriers could have doubled the lead in the 24th minute but found Brown in defiant mood.

Bennett broke from midfield and slipped Knights down the right. The midfielder could not reach the striker's raking ball into the box but Smikle stabbed it goalwards at the far post, only to be denied by a diving Brown.

The ball broke off Smikle and as it looped over a prone keeper he shot out an arm to bat the ball away.

Lanky striker Robbie Matthews also fired a shot straight at the keeper after bright interplay by Smikle and Knights.

On-loan Port Vale defender Luke Prosser saw a skidding 30-yard effort fly wide with 38 minutes on the clock.

Bennett almost scored in the 40th minute after another swift Harriers raid. The midfielder rounded the keeper but as he shot goalwards Kevin Roberts slid in and cleared it away.

The visitors made a double change at the break, with former Harrier Simon Russell coming on for Antonio Murray and Rory McAuley replacing Jai Reason, who was booked in the first half.

Russell was providing the U's with much more threat and Harriers were forced to defend. Cambridge dangerman Danny Crow came close when he dived to meet Kevin Roberts' cross but was a fraction too late.

A dangerous ball from McAuley skidded through the home box but none of his teammates could get a touch.

Dangerman Knights produced more magic in the 65th minute when he cut in from the right side of the box but shot straight at Brown.

He then showed more trickery in the 75th minute when he drove to edge of the U's box but saw his effort fly wide.

As the game wore on it became a frenetic affair, with both sides going for broke.

Knights had a goal ruled out for offside harshly and the away side almost took advantage of their luck when Crow sent a header goalwards, only for it to loop off the bar.

Matthews could have doubled Harriers' lead in the 80th minute but Brown got down well to block it.

But Harriers continued to press and on-loan Chesterfield midfielder Lloyd Kerry saw an ambitious 30-yard effort curl a fraction wide.

Knights almost grabbed the goal he deserved late on but again was denied by Roberts' brave block.

But Harriers deservedly held on and ensured they finally got over the disappointment of being knocked out of the FA Trophy by Stevenage.

Harriers: Atkins; Courtney; Riley (Kerry, 60); Prosser; Sharpe; McPhee; Bennett; Smikle; Byrne; Knights; Matthews.

Unused substitutes: Singh; Lawrie; Goodfellow; McDermott.

Cambridge: Brown; Coulson; Saah; Partridge; Murray (Russell, 46); Crow; Reason (McAuley, 46); Neilson; Roberts; Phillips (Willock, 70).

Unused substitutes: Palmer; McAuley; Marriott.

Referee: Darren Bond (Lancashire). Attendance: 1,141 (163)