Harriers 1, Brackley 2

HARRIERS were brought down to Earth by an experienced Brackley side as they made a losing start to their home campaign in the National North on Tuesday night.

Goals for James Armson and Alex Gudger ensured the Reds tasted their first defeat of the season.

While Tyrell Waite pulled one back from the spot, Harriers could not replicate the ruthless incisive display that saw them win 6-1 at Curzon on Saturday.

After a scintillating win at Tameside, hopes were high that Harriers could continued that at Aggborough but they found Brackley a much more experienced and tougher prospect.

Elton Ngwatala had made a dashing run in the third and tried to release Mani Dieseruvwe but his pass was to long.

But it was the away team, who effectively got in Harriers' faces, who took control and began to test keeper Sam Hornby.

Brackley hitman Steve Diggin did well to escape his marker and fired a shot straight at Kiddy's young custodian.

Armson saw a firm effort force Hornby to fumble the ball, before Diggin also drove an effort at the keeper.

The home side were too keen to shoot from distance and Ngwatala flashed an effort wide after Diggin had given the ball away.

Harriers wideman James McQuilkin was left rolling in agony when he was caught by Adam Walker's late challenge and the Bracklry man was shown a yellow card.

But the away side continued to control the game and took the lead in the 36th minute.

Jordan Tunnicliffe tripped right-back Ellis Myles as he made an overlapping run into the box and Armson slotted home the resulting spot-kick.

Their best chance came in the 43rd minute when Mani Diesieruvwe flicked a shot over the bar from close range.

Hornby denied Brackley a second early in the second half, diving down to block Gareth Dean's firm header from an Armson corner.

Diggin then fired in as hot from a tight angle after a fine run from Armson.

The woodwork cam to Kidderminster's rescue in the 54th minute when Armson rose to meet a Glen Walker cross but his header crashed off the base of the post.

Harriers' goal continued to lead a charmed life when Armson fired off target.

Boss Eustace took off the out of sorts Ngwatala, who had faded, and brought on Australian wideman Robert Stambolziev on the hour mark.

He nearly made an immediate impact as he crossed to McQuilkin but the diminutive attacker saw his header saved by Dan Farrell.

Harriers fell 2-0 in the 74th minute when Alex Gudger bundled the ball home at the far post from a Walker corner.

But the hosts replied almost immediately in the 77th minute when Waite slotted a penalty into the bottom left corner after he was brought down.

Dieseruvwe saw a 90th minute header from a corner blocked but the fight back was not as Brackley saw the game out.

Harriers: Hornby, Hodgkiss, Francis-Angol, Tunnicliffe, Lowe, Carter (Truslove, 78), Ngwatala (Stambolziev, 60), Waite, Gnahoua (A Brown, 72), Dieseruvwe, McQuilkin.

Subs not used: Austin, Williams.

Brackley: Farrell, Myles, Gudger, Byrne, Graham, Dean, Walker, Armson (Lowe, 90), Ndlovu (Moyo, 85), Diggin (Pitt, 92), Walker.

Subs not used: Diaz, Jeacock.

Referee: Ben Cooke Attendance: 1446 (31)