Malbon brace inspires Harriers to fine win over title rivals (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Malbon brace inspires Harriers to fine win over title rivals

5:04pm Saturday 9th March 2013 in News

Grimsby 1,  Harriers 3

SUPERB Harriers stunned title rivals Grimsby with a deadly display of finishing at Blundell Park.

A brace for Anthony Malbon and one for Michael Gash ensured the Aggborough outfit share the top spot with Wrexham and Mansfield on points.

It was a perfect counter-attacking display by the away side, who absorbed all the Mariners' pressure and hit them with ruthless accuracy on the break.

Harriers made four changes from the side which lost 2-0 at Gateshead.

Striker Gash made his first start since joining the club on-loan from Cambridge.

The experienced midfield trio of Martin Devaney, Danny Jackman and Keith Briggs were also drafted in.

Both sides made cagey starts but Lewis was called into action, shooting out a hand to palm Ross Hannah's close range cross away.

Harriers took full advantage as a smart break saw them take the lead in the 32nd minute.

Mickey Demetriou raced down the left and produced a fine cross which the in-form Malbon slotted home for his eighth goal in as many games.

Grimsby roared back but found Lewis in indomitable form.  He produced a brilliant save to dive down smartly and get a hand to the luckless Hannah's close range shot and deny the Mariners a leveller.

Harriers doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time with another brilliant break.  Malbon, Devaney and Lee Vaughan linked up well as Gash scored his first goal of for Harriers and his 15th of the season.

But the home side pulled a goal back five minutes int the second half when from a Joe Colbeck free-kick, Miller fired home.

Harriers were being put under severe pressure by the home team and Andy Cook saw an effort from the edge of the box fly just over the bar.

But the away team kept working hard and they weathered the storm to increase their lead in the 77th minute.

Substitute Danny Pilkington made a raid down the right and delivered a low ball .

Malbon saw his first effort saved by keeper James McKeown but bundled the follow-up over the line.

Grimsby searched for a lifeline bit could not find a way through resilient Harriers who made it three wins in a row in Lincolnshire.

Harriers: Lewis, L Vaughan, Demetriou, Storer, Malbon (Rowe, 90), Jackman , Gash, Briggs (Vincent, 64), Dunkley, Devaney (Pilkington, 73), Gowling.

Subs not used: N Vaughan, Rowe, Johnson.

Grimsby: McKeown, Thomas, Miller, Colbeck (DeVitt, 54), Disley, Cook, Wood, Thanoj, Hannah (John-Lewis, 66), Marshall (Brodie, 80), Naylor.

Subs not used: Hatton, Artus.

Referee: M Bull Attendance:  4,629 (252)