Harriers 0, Guiseley 1

HARRIERS' hopes of kick-starting their relegation battle stalled as a late goal saw them fall to a seventh straight defeat.

The Aggborough outfit are 14 points away from safety and bottom of the Vanarama National League after Guiseley substitute Liam Dickinson struck in the 79th minute.

This was the first match of the year after a host of games were called off.

But despite Dave Hockaday leaving during the three week break from football, their poor form continues.

Midfielder Elton Ngwatala stood out for the hosts and he was denied a goal by the woodwork early in the second half.

But overall, they lacked any cutting edge as their were sunk by familiar defensive failings.

Chief executive and caretaker boss Colin Gordon handed starts to new signings Ousmane Fane, Arthur Gnahoua and Keith Lowe.

Luke Maxwell, who signed for Birmingham this week but returned on loan, was left on the bench because of fatigue.

Lowe, who had previously played for Kidderminster during the 2008-09 season, looked rusty and a mistake nearly allowed the away side to score in the 11th minute.

The centre back missed a challenge on Anthony Dudley and the striker also evaded goalkeeper Dean Snedker before squaring the ball to Adam Boyes.

The former Barrow hitman slotted home but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Eye-catching young midfielder Elton Ngwatala replied for the home team moments later.

The former Paris St German man drove a firm effort wide from the edge of the box and then raced through the entire Guiseley team before firing at keeper Steve Drench.

Guiseley had a second chance in the 16th minute when James Hurst crossed from the right and Gavin Rothery fired over the bar from the edge of the box.

The away side made a change in the 18th minute when Will Hatfield replaced the injured Oliver Norburn.

As the half wore on, Kidderminster were forcing back their opponents and won a series of corners.

But the closest they came to a chance on target came in the 38th minute when Kelvin Langmead looped a header onto the top of the netting.

Ngwatala should have also done better when he fired an effort from long range four minutes before the break, instead of finding Zaine Francis-Angol with a pass.

The hosts were denied the opening goal in the 50th minute.

Ngwatala continued to dazzle when he cut in from the right and beat several defenders before unleashing a powerful rising effort, that got the better of Drench but crashed off the far post and ricocheted away from goal.

Guiseley came close two minutes later when Hurst headed an effort wide.

On the hour mark, Maxwell replaced the out of sorts Whitfield in a surprise move.

The switch allowed Ngwatala to take a more forward role and he created a goal-scoring chance in the 69th minute, when he raced to the edge of the box and found Barnes-Homer, who shot disappointingly at Drench.

That was the hitman's last action as he was replaced by Gurjit Singh in the 72nd minute.

But Guiseley substitute Dickinson made an immediate impact. He had been 91 seconds on the pitch when he swept home at the far post after Harriers had failed to deal with a corner.

In a bid to pep up their failing attack, winger Omari Patrick replaced the quiet Gnahoua as the home side pushed for a leveller but could not find a late goal.

Harriers: Snedker, Hodgkiss, Langmead, Barnes-Homer (Singh, 72), Gnahoua (Patrick, 85), Fane, Francis-Angol, Whitfield (Maxwell, 60), McQuilkin, Ngwatala, Lowe.

Subs not used: Brown, Williams.

Guiseley: Drench, Toulson, Lowe, Lawlor, D Boshell, Boyes (Dickinson, 78), Rothery (Parker, 80), Hall, Dudley, Norburn (Hatfield, 18), Hurst.

Subs not used: Lockwood, N Boshell.

Referee: Michael Salisbury (Lancs) Attendance: 1431 (57)