MICKEY Demetriou believes Harriers’ rock-solid back line can be the difference as they take on play-off rivals Mansfield Town tomorrow (3pm ko).

The Aggborough outfit boast the second best defence in the Blue Square Bet Premier but that record will be sternly tested by the Stags, who have lost just twice in the league at their Field Mill Fortress.

Harriers have conceded just ten goals in 12 away games, with most of those coming in August. They have also kept the opposition out in their last three league away games.

Left-back Demetriou has played a vital part in the Reds’ solidity and also provided an attacking thrust with his trademarks forays on the wing.

He hailed the impact of Josh Gowling and the settled nature of the back four as the reason for the team's durability.

“The defence has been very solid and I think we’re second behind Grimsby in the least goals conceded,” commented Demetriou.

“We’ve got Lee Vaughan who’s 26, while Chey [Dunkley] and I are quite young and Josh is an older head and it has worked well.

“Josh has taught me Chey and I a lot since he joined the club.

“He’s an experienced player and he’s had a big influence on the team.

“We’ve had a settled back four and we know if we do our job and keep the opposition out we will score a goal.”

Sixth-placed Harriers will be aiming to keep the pressure on the top five and steal a march on Mansfield, who have a number games in hand after a run to the FA Cup third round, which ended in a spirited 2-1 loss to Liverpool on Sunday.

Among the squad Mansfield boss Paul Cox has assembled are several familliar faces, including former player Luke Jones and Nick Wright.

Ex-Harriers skipper Exodus Geohaghan is also a regular for the Stags after his controversial brief spell at Aggborough.

The Birmingham-born defender Joined the club in July but after a poor start to the season, where they lost the first five games, he requested a move to former team Mansfield.

Geoghaghon got his wish when he joined the Stags for £5,000 fee.

But Harriers have not looked back since manager Steve Burr drafted in Josh Gowling, who has struck up an effective centre back partnership with Dunkley.

Demetriou said: ““Luke [Jones] and Nick [Wright] aren’t getting into the side but you never know, they might start because Harriers are their old club.

“I think Exodus will start. He was only at the club for a short time but he still counts as a former player.

“When he was at the club the back four wasn’t settled and we weren’t getting results.

“Lee Vaughan was suspended for the first four games and I and Chey weren’t playing but we took our chances when they came.”

Harriers are hoping Kyle Storer will have recovered from an infection to be available for the clash. Winger Danny Pilkington (thigh) is still a week away from being available.

Fans unable to make tomorrow’s clash at Mansfield can follow the action with The Shuttle’s Live Match Blog.

We will have team news before the 3pm ko and all the goal action, followed by a full-time match report and reaction.