KIDDERMINSTER Harriers manager Steve Burr believes his in-form side have a shot at the Blue Square Bet Premier title if they maintain their blistering form.

The Aggborough outfit lifted themselves to third in the table and reduced the gap behind leaders Wrexham to five points after back-to-back wins.

Saturday’s 4-0 thumping of Hyde was followed-up by an impressive 1-0 victory at fellow promotion contenders Forest Green Rovers.

Anthony Malbon’s strike handed Harriers their first ever league win at the Gloucestershire club.

The Reds’ lofty position is in stark contrast to when they lost to Rovers in August, a fifth consecutive defeat which left them bottom of the table.

But 13 wins in the last 15 games has seen them leap ahead of much-fancied Forest on goal-difference.

Burr was keen to play down his side’s title hopes with 14 matches of the season left but he conceded if they maintain their current form then anything is possible.

The odds on them winning the title have also been reduced to 6/1 by on-line bookmakers Blue Square. They are also 1/2 to secure a play-off spot.

He said: “Our aim is to try and finish as high as we can, obviously if we do carry on like this there’s a good chance we could end up winning it.

“I think that might be a bit beyond us but you never know in football.

“After those first 10 games, which weren’t so good, we kept believing in what we do. Players started to perform and we’ve got a good group of lads here who are desperate to perform.”

Harriers’ fans will certainly start making comparisons between the title-winning 1999-00 squad and current generation.

Jan Molby’s troops lost four of their first five before storming the league to win a place in the Football League.

Tuesday night’s win displayed Harriers defensive qualities at the New Lawn.

Under pressure for long periods, the team defended brilliantly to claim a 13th clean sheet.

The Reds have only conceded 26 goals in 32 matches, a record only surpassed by title rivals Grimsby.

“I thought we started quite brightly and then lost our way a bit but Forest Green played well,” added the manager.

“I was disappointed we didn’t hit the heights we have in recent games, but there’s another side to winning.

“I thought from the front right through to Danny Lewis in goal every one of them put a good shift in and defended when they had to.

“Coming to Forest Green with both clubs in the top five, it is a tremendous three points.”

Harriers will be aiming to maintain their run when they entertain Alfreton in the league on Saturday (3pm ko). With Grimsby and Wrexham in the FA Trophy, a win could lift them to second.

Right back Lee Vaughan will have his groin injury assessed before the visit of the Derbyshire side. They then go to relegation battling Nuneaton next Tuesday (7.45pm ko).

Harriers’ postponed clash at Gateshead has been moved to Tuesday, March 5 (7.45pm ko) but the venue for the match is unknown.

The Heed have agreed a deal to play at neighbours Hartlepool United because their International Stadium home is not fit for purpose.

But ‘Pool are set to play Colchester at Victoria Park on the same night, calling the fixture into question.

n Meanwhile, Harriers’ televised Conference clash in Southport has been moved back from the Friday to Saturday, March 23 (1pm ko), so not to clash with England’s World Cup qualifier in San Marino.