AMAN Verma bagged an injury time leveller as spirited Harriers grabbed an encouraging opening day draw against much fancied Grimsby.

Kidderminster ensured the fans went home with a smile on their face with a tenacious display to punish the Mariners' complacency.

Padraig Amond had handed Grimsby the lead but Reece Styche punished disastrous defending to level.

Once again big-spending Grimsby went ahead through Andy Monkhouse but Verma headed home in the 92nd minute.

After a busy pre-season, manager Gary Whild fielded a side with six new faces and handed Aggborough league debuts to Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, Joe Clarke, Andre Wright, Dean Snedker and Adam Dawson.

Kelvin Langmead also started in his second spell at Kidderminster.

In contrast to Harriers' shoestring budget, Grimsby were one of the summer's big spenders in the Vanarama National League and handed starts to new signings Danny East, Monkhouse and Amond.

The visitors brought a huge 1,700 travelling army and added to the atmosphere at Harriers.

The match was evenly-matched for the first 20 minutes but the Mariners, who are one of the favourites, started to crank up the pressure.

Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, playing at left-back was booked for a strong tackle on Omar Bogle.

Keeper Snedker has looked determined to keep out the away team, he denied Nathan Arnold on several occasions but pulled out all the stops in the 36th minute.

The home defence was pierced by Monkhouse's fine pass but Snedker rushed out to block his shot.

Harriers' custodian then pushed a firm effort from the attacker behind.

But the host fell behind in the 43rd minute when they were caught on the break.

Styche had seen his cross blocked but Grimsby attached with speed and Bogle played in Amond, who raced behind the home defence and stroke his effort past the keeper.

Kidderminster were forced to make a change at the start of the second half, when Langmead went off with an injury to be replaced by Jake Green.

Jordan Tunnicliffe produced a fine challenge to stop Bogle in his tracks as he strode into the box.

The hosts also produced more attacking intent and former Harriers captain Josh Gowling headed a fine delivery from Dawson away.

In a second substitution for Harriers, Craig Reid replaced Wright in the 56th minute.

But Harriers made it 1-1 on the hour mark after suicidal defending by the away side. Keeper James McKeown had barely a shot to save but he rushed out of his area to intercept East's poor back pass only to give it to Styche, who slotted into an empty net.

But Grimsby replied with gusto and Bogle saw a free-kick fly a fraction wide before taking the lead again in the 67th minute, when Monkhouse fired home after Aristotle Nsiala headed Nathan Arnold's corner into his path.

The hosts though were not disheartened and Clarke slammed a long range effort must wide, while Styche's dipping effort tested McKeown in the 76th minute.

Whild through on West Bromwich Albion youngster Tahvon Campbell as a last throw of the dice.

And they got the leveller they deserved in the 92nd minute, when Verma rose highest to meet Jared Hodgkiss's cross to head home a dramatic equaliser.

Harriers: Snedker, Hodgkiss, Rowe-Turner, Maxwell (Campbell, 82), Langmead (Green, 46), Clarke, Verma, Tunnicliffe, Styche, Wright (Reid, 56), Dawson.

Subs not used: Palmer, Reffell.

Grimsby: McKeown, Pearson, Gowling, Disley, Bogle, Amond (Mackreth, 84), Monkhouse, Clay, Arnold, Nsiala, East.

Subs not used: Tait, Robertson, Clifton, Venney.

Referee: Brett Huxtable (Referee) Attendance: 3,459 (1689)