Harriers 2, Gateshead 1

TWO early goals in the second half saw Harriers defeat fellow promotion contenders Gateshead and record their most impressive win of the season.

Gary Whild's troops weathered the first half and then took the initiative in the second as Craig Reid and Nathan Blissett bagged their first goals of the season.

While Jon Shaw pulled one back for the North East side, another well-drilled defensive performance ensured Kiddy stretched their unbeaten start to the Vanarama Conference to seven games.

They are now just three points behind leaders Halifax.

A bumper crowd of 2607 came out to watch this top of the clash on Non-League Day thanks to the efforts of the club to drop prices and fans trust KHIST's hard work.

Harriers made one change from the side which defeated Dover last week.

Chey Dunkley returned from his one game suspension to slot into central midfield.

That saw centre half Jamie Grimes moving into midfield as extra protection, with the more attacking Aman Verma moved to the substitute's bench.

The visitors though dominated possession in a tightly-contest first half.

Blissett had a chance for the hosts in the third minute but after a strong run he fired wide.

Gateshead were having a lot of space on the left wing and JJ O'Donnell cut in from the left and flashed an effort wide.

Dunkley headed wide from an accurate cross from Kevin Nicholson in the 19th minute.

At the other end, Gateshead striker Shaw swivelled to connect with a low ball but fired his effort straight at keeper Danny Lewis.

The game remained evenly-balanced but Josh Gowling had to be alert in the 34th minute when he had to block Alex Rodman's volley.

It was the home team who ended first period well and a 30-yard Blissett header bounced awkwardly on the stroke of half-time and forced keeper Adam Bartlett to tip it over the bar.

But two goals in the first four minutes of the second period gave Kidderminster a 2-0 lead.

First, Reid placed a low shot into the bottom corner seven seconds after the re-start from a Blissett header.

Blissett then doubled the lead in the 49th, heading home from a Johnson cross at the far post.

The Harriers hitman then smashed a right-food effort wide as the hosts pushed for a third.

But Gateshead made it2-1 in the 64th minute when Shaw headed home at the far post from a Andrai Jones cross.

Gateshead centre forward Danny Wright was shown a yellow card for a sliding challenge on keeper Danny Lewis.

Whild threw on Reece Styche and Michael Gash and the duo combined for a counter-attack in the 74th minute but the former's pass to his team-mate was too long.

In the 78th minute, Lewis was on hand to save an accurate free-kick from Rodman.

Gateshead pushed for a leveller but did not really trouble a well-drilled home defence, which under the guidance of captain Gowling held firm.

Harriers: Lewis, Hodgkiss, Dunkley, Gowling, Nicholson, Storer, Byrne, Grimes, Johnson, Blissett (Gash, 73), Reid (Styche, 67).

Subs not used: Verma, Gittings, Singh.

Gateshead: Bartlett, Jones, Chandler, Curtis, Clark, Oster (Ramshaw, 61), Turnbull (Giy, 81), Shaw, O'Donnell, Rodman (Allan, 81), Wright.

Subs not used: Baxter, McDermott.

Referee: Darren England Attendance: 2607 (83)