BOSS John Eustace refused to use Kidderminster's injury troubles as an excuse for the disappointing defeat at Brackley.

Joel Taylor, Joe Ironside and Dan Bradley all missed Monday's 2-0 loss after picking up minor injuries during Harriers' 2-1 comeback win over Alfreton last Saturday.

However, despite the reshuffle, Eustace felt the team he picked should have offered much more.

He said: "That’s no excuse – the eleven I picked all want to play in the team and all come to me and say ‘why aren’t I playing?’ “So there’s no excuse at all – we picked a strong team and we’re disappointed with the result.

“It was better in the second half but we didn’t get the ball in the box enough and didn’t have enough.

“We conceded such a sloppy [second] goal and it knocked the wind out of us a bit. It’s not good enough.”

The result sees an inconsistent start to the campaign continue for Harriers, who now host Boston United at Aggborough this Saturday (3pm kick-off).

The boss appealed to the club’s supporters, again out in force at Brackley, as he added: “I know it is tough at the moment.

“They’ve got behind us ever since I’ve come in; they’ve been fantastic and that’s what’s so disappointing.

“We haven’t been performing as we should be and I apologise to those fans but we are working hard to get it right.”

Attacker Junior Joachim left the club this week following a short-term deal but young goalkeeper Charlie Bannister has arrived to offer competition to Brandon Hall.

Weekend opponents Boston sit four places below 11th placed Harriers and have won two and drawn three of their first five games this term.