Harriers 0, Chorley 2 (Agg: 1-2 )

HARRIERS suffered promotion heartbreak with defeat against Chorley in the play-off semi final at Aggborough.

An injury time strike from substitute Adam Roscoe won it for the visitors after they'd drawn level on aggregate early in the first half.

Despite going into the game with a goal advantage from the first leg, Kidderminster found themselves behind at half time and then the victims of a late strike against the run of play as they saw their promotion hopes dashed in cruel fashion.

The Reds threw everything at Chorley in the second half but couldn't find a way through the determined away defence and we're made to pay late on.

The first half started with Harriers looking comfortable as they battled to dominate the ball with their slim advantage from the first leg.

They worked the first chance of note as Tyrell Waite drilled a low effort at goal after 10 minutes.

But that aggregate lead lasted only until the 19th minute when a simple ball over the top caught the home side out and threw the tie into the mix.

A communication breakdown between skipper Keith Lowe and keeper Sam Hornby let Chorley marksman Marcus Carver nip in and poke the ball into the unguarded net.

It could have got worse for the hosts moments later when Adam Blakeman rattled the bar from a free kick on the edge of the box.

The Reds recovered from the set-back but didn't manage to find a way through before the break with only Joe Ironside's header on the stretch all to show for their efforts.

Chorley did have another sight at goal when captain Andy Teague headed powerfully over from a corner but the half ended with the visitors ahead on the day and the clash all square on aggregate.

The Reds came out firing in the opening moments of the second period and thought they had a big goal after just three minutes when Andre Brown rolled home the rebound from Arthur Gnahoua's low effort. But the linesman was quick to raise his flag and halt the forward's celebrations.

Harriers continued to dominate as they moved the ball quicker and kept Chorley pegged back.

Brown and Lowe fired off target approaching the hour mark before the home side's best spell.

James McQuilkin fired powerfully against the bar on 70 minutes before Ryan Croasdale saw a goal-bound effort cleared off the line by Matt Challoner a minute later.

Chorley looked happy to drop deep and soak up the pressure as the hosts continued to seek the winner.

But, with the game into injury time, Reds were hit with a heartbreaking sucker punch.

Again a ball over the top proved decisive as Roscoe got in behind, broke the challenge of Francis-Angol and slotted low under the outrushing Hornby.

Harriers didn't have time to recover and their young squad will now face another season in the National League North.

Harriers: Hornby, Hodgkiss, Francis-Angol, Croasdale, Lowe (c), Tunnicliffe, Waite (Sonupe 79), McQuilkin, Ironside, Gnahoua, Brown.

Unused Subs: Williams, Carter, Knights, Truslove.

Chorley: Branagan, Challoner, Blakeman, Teague (c), Leather, Jordan (Roscoe 77), O'Keefe (Jarvis 60), Whitham, Carver (Charnock 84), Walker, Cottrell.

Unused Subs: Azam, Dibble.

Att: 3,407 (342)