Harriers 2, Leamington 0

GOALS from Joe Ironside and Mani Sonupe gave Harriers a hard-earned victory over Leamington.

The hosts had to be patient for long periods before Ironside struck from the penalty spot just past the hour mark.

Livewire Mani Sonupe then wrapped up the points in injury time as he struck his third goal in two games.

Both sides struggled to get their passing game going during the cagey early exchanges but it was Leamington that nearly took the lead after just nine minutes when a corner was prodded at goal through the crowded penalty box. Left back Joel Taylor got back and was able to clear.

Kidderminster's first chance also came from a corner when Liam Daly flicked James McQuilkin's near post corner just over the bar.

Harriers, who had uncharacteristically turned to long balls forward early on, did start to find more room approaching the half hour.

Tyrone Williams, up for another corner, missed a good chance on 27 minutes after the ball was headed back across goal by Daly again.

Moments later Sonupe latched onto a good McQuilkin through ball but couldn't find a team mate with his driven cross.

Harriers continued to keep the pressure on as Elton Ngwatala drilled just wide from distance.

Leamington continued to cut out the space well to frustrate the home side.

Reds put together their best passage of the first half when Sonupe exchanged neat one-twos with Ironside and then Ngwatala before seeing his shot deflected wide by keeper Tony Breedon as the game remained goalless at the break.

Harriers continued to enjoy more possession at the start of the second period but still couldn't break down the dogged Leamington rearguard.

The had to be patient once more but were handed the chance to open the scoring from the spot just past the hour mark when Sonupe's quick feet on the right corner of the box drew sub Kacy Butterfield into the foul.

Ironside stepped up to convert and bag his first of the season.

Harriers still struggled to work openings despite having the lead and only a Daly header at goal from another corner was all they managed going into the final ten minutes.

At the other end, Reds stopper Brandon Hall was needed to keep the scores level in the 86th minute when he tipped Connor Cudger's free kick from the edge of the box over his bar.

It remained like that until Sonupe wrapped up the points two minutes of injury time when he fired into an unguarded net after keeper Breedon went up for a last ditch corner as the visitors looked to salvage something.

It was a night when Harriers never really hit top gear and had to be patient for long periods before finally finding a way through.

The win gives Harriers back-to-back victories ahead of this Saturday's trip to Salford City.

Harriers: Hall, Williams (c), Taylor, Weeks, Daly, Digie, Sonupe (Austin 90), McQuilkin, Ironside, Ngwatala (Joachim 61), Bradley (Brown 75).

Unused subs: Webb, Keane.

Leamington: Breedon (c), Taundry, Cudger, Clarke, Hood, Magunda, Obeng, English (Revan 81), Bishop, Gittings (Canavan 76), Thompson-Brown (Butterfield 58).

Unused subs: Moore, James.

Att: 1,465 (101)