Harriers 3, Gloucester 0

HARRIERS moved up to third place in National League North after a second half double from Arthur Gnahoua helped them to victory over Gloucester City.

The winger put the game out of reach with a fine double to add to a first half own goal from Sam Avery.

Harriers welcomed back Zain Francis-Angol from injury and Tyrone Williams from suspension for the clash at Aggborough.

They started slowly, however, as Gloucester worked hard to close down the space and press the ball.

It was the visitors that even mustered the first effort on goal when James Fitzgibbon's cross-come-shot from the right wing skimmed Sam Hornby's crossbar after nine minutes.

The home side did eventually grow into the game approaching the 20 minute mark and were suddenly beginning to find more room to get their passing game going.

Andre Brown passed up a great chance to open the scoring when he fired tamely at former Harrier Jasbir Singh in the City goal after Elton Ngwatala had played him in.

It was a powerful run from Brown on 32 minutes that eventually led to the opening goal.

His shot after getting in down the left was palmed away again by Singh.

However, the resulting corner saw the hosts ahead.

Tunnicliffe flicked on McQuilkin's ball in and Gloucester defender Sam Avery got his head to the ball but could only direct it into his own net.

Harriers ended the half the stronger and forced Singh into a double save on 34 minutes from Gnahoua and Waite.

The two wide men were at the heart of the action late on with efforts but the home side couldn't add to their tally before the break.

Harriers came out with their tails up in the second period and could have doubled their lead early on.

Brown headed over on 47 minutes before firing wide on 54 minutes after he'd raced onto a poor back pass.

The second goal finally arrived just before the hour mark through Gnahoua.

Brown's neat pass got McQuilkin in down the left. He passed to Gnahoua who fired well beyond Singh.

The third followed just seven minutes later as Gnahoua bagged his 11th of the season.

Croasdale's diagonal ball was helped on by Francis-Angol into the path of Gnahoua who took a touch in the box and squeezed it under Singh, who can consider himself unlucky to be on the end of a heavy defeat after pulling off a string of fine saves.

Truslove forced him into another save late on from a free kick.

The will be another confidence boost for the young Harriers team as attention now turns to Saturday's FA Trophy clash with Lincoln United.

HARRIERS: Hornby, Williams, Francis-Angol (Carter 70), Lowe, Tunnicliffe, Croasdale, Ngwatala, McQuilkin (Truslove 80), Waite, Gnahoua (Dieseruvwe 73), Brown.

Unused Subs: Austin, Palmer.

Gloucester: Singh (c), Thomas, Greenslade, Hamilton, Avery, Mullings, Hanks, Fitzgibbons (Parker), Hopper (Reid 80), Kotwica, Williams (Hall).

Unused Subs: Richards, Dinsley.

Att: 1,319 (61)