Barnet 1,  Harriers 0

HARRIERS tasted their first defeat in nine games despite having the best of a scrappy Skrill Premier game.

With manager Steve Burr not present after requesting permission to talk to Forest Green Rovers about their vacant hot-seat, assistant Gary Whild took charge of the match.

But in a game they controlled for long periods, Kidderminster struggled for a cutting edge.

Harriers welcomed back Michael Gash, Mickey Demetriou, James Dance and Marvin Johnson to their starting line-up but a sluggish beginning allowed Barnet to control the first quarter of the game.

Midfielder Keanu Marsh-Brown weaved his way through Harriers' defence but shot over the bar with just keeper Danny Lewis to beat.

The hosts were forced into a change in the 16th minute when Dani Lopez was stretchered off and replaced by Harry Crawford.

But the scoring was opened in the 25th minute. Kidderminster failed to clear Kieran Cadogan's corner and Luisma Villa swept home the loose ball from close range.

But the goal woke the Carpetmen from their slumber and they grabbed the game by scruff of the neck.

They bombarded the home defence with a series of crosses.  Their best chance fell to Gash, who leaped to win a cross from Demetriou but headed over the bar.

Barnet had seen little of the ball but substitute Crawford raced past Jamie Grimes and saw a firm effort tipped over by Lewis.

Barnet nearly added a second a few minutes into the second half but Grimes did well to block to goal bound effort from Luisma.

Josh Gowling also was on hand to charge down a shot by the Barnet goal-scorer from the edge of the box.

But the visitors suffered a setback in the 64 minute when Johnson needed lengthy treatment on the pitch before being stretchered off and replaced by Joe Lolley in the 72nd.

The substitute nearly made an immediate impact, when his form left-footed effort forced Barnet custodian Graham Stack into action.

A flowing counter-attack saw substitute Amari Morgan-Smith set-up Gash in the box but a fine sliding challenge from David Stephens denied him.

Luisma was sent off in time added on for a second bookable offence.

Harriers pushed hard in the final few moments but even with eight minutes of time added on, they could not find a way to score.

Harriers: Lewis, L Vaughan, Demetriou, Gowling, Grimes, Fowler, Storer, Jackman (Malbon, 60), Gash, Dance (Morgan-Smith, 78), Johnson (Lolley, 72nd).

Subs not used: N Vaughan, Gittings.

Barnet: Stack, Yiadom, Marsh-Brown (Mengrrink, 90+3), Saville, Byrne (Acheampong, 90+1), Abdulla, Cadogan, Villa, Vilnere, Stephens, Lopez (Crawford, 16).

Subs not used: Johnson, Jupp.

Referee: Robert Whitton.

Attendance: 1557 (243)