Harriers 3
Newport 2

NICK Wright's amazing hat-trick inspired Harriers to a dramatic comeback as they saw off Newport at Aggborough on Monday.

Steve Burr's side looked to be slipping to a defeat which would have severly dented their play-off hopes in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

Errors had allowed the Welsh visitors to streak into a 2-0 lead.

However, substitute Wright's ten-minute hat-trick at the death secured a win which kept the Aggborough outfit in the top five.

Harriers were stunned as an error by keeper Tony Breeden allowed Newport to take the lead 12 seconds into the game for what must be one of the quickest goals of the season at any level.

The shot-stopper slipped on a soggy surface trying to take Luke Jones' poor back header and allowed the alert Reid to steal in and score.

Stunned Harriers tried to hit back and Anthony Malbon's clever pass set James Vincent driving into the box but was stopped in his tracks by a fine challenge by David Pipe.

Marvin Johnson then drove the ball in from the right and Jones stabbed wide at far post by Jones.

But Newport looked dangerous on the break. Centre back Tom Marshall bravely blocked Ryan Charles' right-footed shot.

Johnson was looking lively on the wing for the home side and he created a good opening when he delivered a low raking cross which deflected off a defender for a corner.

Harriers were stunned in the 37th minute by Newport's second goal. Lee Vaughan was put under pressure after a sloppy phase of play by his teammates and his hurried pass was intercepted by ex-Harriers Sam Foley.

Newport's midfield dynamo drove forward from near half way line and as the home defence backed off, he slammed a superb right-footed effort into bottom corner.

Winger Johnson had looked like the most likely to create a chance for the hosts and he cut in from the left wing but shot over the bar.

The home side survived a scare when Lee Minshull's header from a Foley corner hit the woodwork.

Harriers started the second half with purpose and Jack Byrne saw a good 20-yard hit fly wide.

The home side continued to probe but struggled to open up Newport.

Jones was booked for a sliding foul on Foley as Harriers laboured.

Johnson, who continued to test the visiting defence, saw an effort from the edge of the box blocked bravely by Lee Baker.

Burr made three changes in quick succession, with Ryan Rowe, Dan Bradley and Wright all coming on in a matter of minutes.

Bradley called keeper Karl Darlow into action with a well-placed shot from the edge of the area but it was easy for the shot-stopper to take.

Newport's custodian then denied Vincent in the 78th minute. Vaughan delivered a good cross from the right and Vincent rose well at the near post to head goalwards but Darlow shot out a hand to put it behind.

But Harriers gave themselves a lifeline in the 85th minute. Vaughan was brought down by substitute Elliott Buchanan as he charged into the box and Wright slotted the spot-kick into bottom right corner.

Incredibly, Harriers levelled the scores in the 93rd minute. Wright held up the ball, spun smartly to score from six-yards out.

Wright completed the scoring in the fifth minute of time added on. Bradley crossed from the left and when Rowe challenged the keeper, Wright fired home from close range!

Harriers: Breeden; Vaughan; Williams; Jones; Marshall; Hankin (Wright, 61); Vincent; Guinan (Rowe, 66); Byrne (Bradley, 70); Malbon; Johnson.

Unused substitutes: Lyness; Demetriou.

Newport: Darlow; Baker (Buchanan, 77); Yakubu; Foley; Hughes; Pipe; Charles; Minshull; Rose (Rodgers, 68); Reid (Jarvis, 62); Porter.

Unused substitutes: Thompson; Evans.

Referee: Stephen Martin (Staffordshire). Attendance: 2,275 (366)