Harriers 1, Altrincham 1

BEN Whitfield bagged a spectacular late leveller as the bottom four clash at Aggborough ended honours even.

Harriers fell behind to Damian Reeves' ninth minute strike.

But spirited Kidderminster plugged away and Whitfield bagged his first goal in two months when he curled home a fine equaliser.

The draw means Harriers remain 12 points from safety, bottom of the Vanarama National League with five matches left.

Harriers made four changes from the side that lost to Tranmere.

Whitfield had recovered from his sickness bug and returned to the side, while Jared Hodgkiss, Luke Maxwell and Evan Garnett were drafted in.

Striker Arthur Gnahoua, who had been hit by an ankle injury, returned on the bench.

Elton Ngwatala nearly provided the perfect start in the second minute when he demonstrated great close control to dribble past three defenders into the Altrincham box but his effort was saved by keeper Tim Deasy.

But Kiddy were trailing in the ninth minute when they were caught out by Adam Griffin's probing long ball.

Reeves raced down the left and when keeper Max O'Leary hesitated to come out, the striker beat him with a fine lob.

The hitman then had another chance in the 15th minute with a carbon copy attack but this time he scuffed his effort wide.

Good work by Garnett teed up Ngwatala in the box in the 19th minute but Deasy denied him.

With neither side able to create many goal-scoring chances the game started to drag but a fine whipped cross by Griffin caused the hosts a momentary scare.

Urged on by Colin Gordon, Harriers tried to up the pace and Maxwell saw a low strike roll across the face of goal in the 41st minute.

Gnahoua replaced defender Tyrone Williams in the 53rd minute to increase Harriers' attacking options.

O'Leary was called into action in the 55th minute when Josh Ginnelly fired in a shot.

Harriers nearly levelled in the 79th minute when centre back Kelvin Langmead met Whitfield's corner only for Deasy to tip his far post header over the bar.

The hosts continued to press unconvincingly and McQuilkin saw a 30-yard effort fly over the bar.

Altrincham had been pegged back but substitute Michael Rankine signalled a warning in the 84th minute when he glanced a header wide.

Good play by Garnett teed up McQuilkin, who flashed an effort wide.

The home side's pressure finally paid off in the 89th minute when Whitfield lashed home an unstoppable curling effort from the right.

The goal set-up a frantic spell as Harriers pushed for winner but they had to settle for a frustrating point.

Harriers: O'Leary, Langmead, Hodgkiss, Lowe, Williams (Gnahoua, 53), Kinsella, Fane, Maxwell (McQuilkin, 57), Ngwatala, Whitfield, Garnett.

Subs not used: Tunnicliffe, Snedker, Patrick.

Altrincham: Deasy, Griffin, Moult, Havern, Leather, Lawrie, Richman, Reeves (Rankine, 67), O'Keefe, Ginnelly (Crowther, 87) Holness.

Subs not used: Heathcote, Sinnott, Phillips.

Referee: John Brooks (Leicestershire) Attendance: 1402 (119)