Harriers 0, Barrow 0

BATTLING Harriers' brave effort to avoid relegation from the Vanarama National League come to an end after a goalless draw at Aggborough.

Despite just one defeat in seven games, Kidderminster were unable to get the win they needed.

But even a win would not have prevented the Reds from going down to the National North as Boreham Wood's 2-1 success at Aldershot ensured they could not be caught by the Worcestershire side.

Despite a desperate push for a goal in the final ten minutes, Harriers rode their luck as the visitors from Cumbria wasted a number of fine scoring chances in the second half.

Harriers made one change from the side that started against Hallifax, with academy product Dan Sweeney handed his first ever senior start in preference to Gurjit Singh.

The first half was poor with both sides unable to produce any quality in an uneventful 45 minutes.

But Harriers twice nearly caught out Barrow's inexperienced keeper Joel Dixon.

Ben Whitfield nearly embarrassed him in the eighth minute when his speculative drive surprised the calamitous custodian and he could only divert it wide.

Barrow offered very little in an attacking sense but posed a threat from set pieces.

In the 13th minute, Simon Grand rose to meet Simon Haworth's free-kick and his glancing header hit the bar and as it rolled across the goal Keith Lowe cleared off the line.

While the away side looked solid, Dixon's lack of focus handed Harriers a chance in the 35th minute.

Whitfield charged down his lazy goal-kick but the on-loan Bournemouth attacker could only steer his effort at the keeper.

Keeper Dean Snedker was called into action in the 49th minute when he saved Alex Ray Harvey's 20-yard drive.

But with Barrow only interesting in taking a point, the hosts struggled to find a way through their well-organised but unambitious opponents.

Harvey and Harriers midfielder Ousmane Fane picked up bookings for fouls as the half wore on.

Snedker produced a fine save in the 64th minute when he tipped away Nick Wilmer-Anderton's left-footed strike.

The home side tried to up the tempo but their keeper was called into action again in the 71st minute when he tipped over Ben Tomlinson's scuffed effort into the ground.

The away side continued to dominate and Jordan Williams' curling shot flew over the bar.

Harriers' goal continued to live a charmed life in the 80th minute when the wasteful Tomlinson breached the home defence but his angled effort hit the inside of the far post and ricocheted out of the box.

Kiddy pushed for a late winner but as Boreham's score from Aldershot filtered around the ground, their fate was sealed.

Harriers: Snedker, Langmead, Kinsella, Williams, Sweeney (Patrick, 79), Fane, Francis-Angol, Lowe, Whitfield, McQuilkin, Ngwatala.

Subs not used: Hodgkiss, Garnett, Tunnicliffe, Brown.

Halifax: Dixon, Lacey, Livesey (Abbott, 32), Grand, Haworth (Pilkington, 93), Harvey, Cook, Tomlinson, Parry, Wilmer-Anderton, Williams.

Subs not used: Walker, Fofana, Grimes.

Referee: Wigglesworth (Yorks) Attendance: 1517 (137)