KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' good start to the season will be tested when they take on fellow promotion rivals Darlington tomorrow.

The Aggborough outfit head to Heritage Park for the 7.45pm kick-off in fifth place in the National League North after just one defeat in their first seven matches.

Confidence is high after after a five game unbeaten run but fourth-placed Darlington will provide the stiffest challenge yet for manager John Eustace and his young troops.

Harriers will still be without Ashley Carter, who serves his final match of his three-match ban.

James McQuilkin will miss next Tuesday’s derby at Telford with a one-match suspension after picking up five yellow cards.

The Reds have saved their best performances for on the road but coach Matt Gardiner believes there is more to come at Aggborough.

He said: “I just think we have new a group, some who were at Aggborough last season and others who joined in the summer.

“We’re all in it together and the more we play at home, the more people get a feeling for how we are trying to do things.

“To win back-to-back at home is good and we want to make Aggborough a difficult place for away teams to get points.”

Gardiner also praised Kidderminster’s determination to seal a narrow 1-0 win over Altrincham on Monday as the Reds bounced back from Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Boston.

“Against Boston, we played well and created a lot of chances but didn’t score a second goal and was hit by a sucker punch,” Gardiner added.

“I felt we were braver on Monday, didn’t concede as many free-kicks and saw the game out.”

Meanwhile, Harriers may hand midfielder Ryan Croasdale a contract after he impressed over the bank holiday weekend.

The former Preston youngster joined on a non-contract basis but has impressed manager Eustace.

l The club were also hoping for a cash windfall as a host of English clubs vie for former Harriers winger Marvin Johnson before the transfer window closed last night.

The Motherwell wideman’s form has prompted interest from Charlton Athletic and Oxford United.

The Scottish Premier League side have slapped a £1 million price tag on Johnson, who has submitted a transfer request. Johnson was sold to Motherwell for £25,000 but Harriers get 10 per cent of the next fee.