Harriers 2, Darlington 1

CAPTAIN Keith Lowe headed in the winner as Harriers overcame an attritional battle with Darlington.

Kidderminster finally got the better of their visitors to Aggborough following an even encounter between two sides with an intriguing mix of styles.

While Darlington worked hard to close down the space and were happy to play off big forward Stephen Thompson, the hosts continued to try and get their passing game going.

Tyrell Waite quickly cancelled out Dave Syers' early first half effort as the sides couldn't be separated for long periods.

It was the visitors that started the brighter as they worked hard to close down Harriers in the opening exchanges.

They also worked the first opening after just four minutes as Lowe was needed to hack clear a goal bound effort from Terry Galbraith.

Darlington were ahead by the seventh minute though as Syers fired home from six yards out after Gillies played a low ball in from the left flank.

However, Harriers wasted no time in hitting back as the game suddenly burst to life.

Within a minute they were level after Elton Ngwatala played in James McQuilkin.

The midfielder controlled and fired at goal but saw his effort come back off the post. Thankfully Waite was on hand to power in the rebound.

From then on the first half became a tale of Darlington's continued success at closing down the space and stifling Kidderminster's attacking play.

Ngwatala had an effort saved and Gnahoua fired over from distance as the hosts managed a few efforts heading into the break.

But it was perhaps Syers again that passed up the best chance before half time as he lifted over the outrushing Sam Hornby following a flick on by Thompson after a goal kick up field.

The second half continued in exactly the same vain as the first.

Both sides continued to battle for possession in a gruelling encounter.

Both sides struck the wall with free kicks in dangerous positions as any real chances of note quickly dried up.

Harriers needed to somehow find a way through and got the spark they needed from their skipper.

Captan Lowe headed in a McQuilkin free kick from deep to edge his side ahead for the first time on 77 minutes.

Buoyed by the goal, Harriers were quickly back on the attack and had a chance to wrap it up from the spot just two minutes later after sub Mani Dieseruvwe was fouled in the box.

However, Ngwatala's weak effort was saved by Jameson to set up a nervy finish.

Harriers dropped deep looking to safely negotiate the closing stages but still had some defending to do.

Thompson headed just wide in the 88th minute before Hornby made a fine reflex save on 90 minutes to keep out Leon Scott's deflected drive.

In the end, Harriers will be pleased with the way they finally wore down determined Darlington to further establish their position in the play-off places and and keep tabs on leaders AFC Fylde.

A clash with neighbours Worcester City awaits on Boxing Day.

Harriers: Hornby, Williams, Francis-Angol, Croasdale, Lowe (c), Tunnicliffe, Waite (Austin 77), McQuilkin, Brown (Dieseruvwe 64), Ngwatala (Carter 86), Gnahoua.

Subs: Truslove, Knights.

Darlington: Jameson, Marrs, Garlbraith, Turnbull, Burgess (c), Brown, Syers (Hardy 62), Scott, Beck, Thompson, Gillies.

Unused Subs: Cartman, Bell, Hunter, Hardy, Falkingham.

Att: 1,710