CARETAKER boss John Finnigan relished Harriers' 2-0 win over Chester City and did not rule himself out of the permanent manager's role at Aggborough on Boxing Day.

Finnigan got his temporary career off to a winning start thanks to goals for Duane Courtney and Gavin Caines.

He was put in charge after Mark Yates and Neil Howarth quit the club for Cheltenham earlier in the week.

He said: "I really enjoyed that, 2-0 and a clean sheet, which I asked for from defence before the game.

"The defenders popped up with the goals as well, so we're thrilled to bits.

"I wanted to extend my playing career and Mark [Yates] gave me the opportunity to do that. Unfortunately, I've had a few niggling injuries and that's contributed towards me getting the caretaker manager's post.

"It was certainly unexpected but an honour and a privilege.

"I've said to everyone we're going to take it a game at a time, we don't know how long we'll be doing this as a staff and we'll see where it takes us.

"There might be a time when I will concentrate on this, but at the moment I am still a player and one of the boys.

"We're just trying to keep a happy dressing room and the lads have been great.

"It's certainly different because I've had to leave people out of the team that I've been getting on great with.

"Damian Spencer is someone I've known for seven or eight years but I left him on the bench.

"It's not easy but those are the decisions you have to make when you are in charge."

Harriers will be aiming to build on this victory, their first in the Blue Square Premier in five games, at Rushden and Diamonds on Monday (3pm kick-off).

However, with Chester manager Jim Harvey linked as a possible successor to Yates, Finnigan did not rule himself out of the Harriers hot-seat.

He said: "We're going to plan to attack each game as it comes, Rushden is the next one and we'll be concentrating on that see what happens in the future."

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