GARY Whild described Harriers' 1-0 loss to Grimsby as cruel.

The Reds suffered their first home defeat of the season thanks to an 85th minute strike by Mariners substitute Rhys Oates.

The goal was against the run of play as Kidderminster has created a host of chances.

Their best chance fell to Michael Gash in the first half but with the goal at his mercy, he blazed over the bar.

James McKeown was forced into a desperate scrambling save by Kevin Nicholson, while Chey Dunkley had a header cleared off the line by Shaun Pearson.

"It was a little bit cruel if I am being honest, over the entire 90 minutes that is as well as we have played," said Whild.

"I said to the lads apart from putting the ball in the back of the net, I thought we were a little bit unlucky."

He added: "The lads are bitterly dissappointed because we don't want to be beaten and we've got a home record we are very proud of.

"Other than the obvious, I couldn't have asked for more.

"Grimsby are going to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season and for 90 minutes we've had them on the back foot and it is unfortunate we ended up with nothing."

Harriers' manager shuffled his strikers again, this time partnering Gash and Reece Styche and the pair linked promisingly.

Styche produced a typically robust display and did his best to ruffle Grimsby's defence.  But Gash's miss, created by a dazzling Marvin Johnson run, was the game's key moment.

It was punished when Oates, making his debut after joining from Barnsley, rifled home a fine effort.

"Goals change games, it was a great chance and Michael knows he should have definitely  scored but that's gone now and we've got to move on," said Harriers' manager.