Harriers 2, Stockport 2

HARRIERS recovered from a two-goal deficit to earn a replay from an action-packed encounter with Stockport County in the second round of the FA Trophy.

Kidderminster found themselves with work to do after Jason Oswell and Darren Stephenson struck in either half.

However, Fraser Horsfall, who later saw red late on, and sub Mani Sonupe found the net as the hosts recovered to keep their 14-game unbeaten run intact.

The contest also saw Sonupe fail from the spot early in the second half as well as Harriers passing up late chances to snatch a winner.

Lee Vaughan made another start at full-back for Harriers with Tyrone Williams not involved with the squad as he sorts a transfer away from Aggborough.

The Reds also made one change as Sam Austin replaced Andre Brown in the starting line-up.

It was Stockport that started just the brighter as it took a good recovering tackle from Ryan Croasdale to deny Jason Oswell in the opening moments.

Harriers did carry their own threat early on though as Bradley fired at keeper Ian Ormson from range before Ironside couldn't get over a Austin ball in from the right on eight minutes.

Reds began to gain more control after a quarter of an hour and worked another opening from the right when Vaughan's cross was met by Ngwatala's header on 17 minutes.

He rose well but Ormson gathered after a slight deflection took the sting out of his effort.

The right flank was proving a key area for the hosts with Austin, Vaughan and Bradley linking up well.

It was a combination of Bradley and Vaughan that nearly led to a fine opener on 25 minutes.

Vaughan's neat ball inside was gathered well by Bradley who drove to the edge of the box before unleashing a curling effort that had to be clawed away by Ormson.

Harriers continued to dominate possession but were kept at arms length by a well-drilled County rearguard as cut chances dried up approaching the break.

Instead it would be Stockport that would take a lead into half time thanks to a lighting break away goal two minutes from time.

Darren Stephenson burst down the left and crossed for Oswell to glance his header over Brandon Hall.

Harriers had looked to be getting on top in the well-balanced contest but suddenly needed a reaction in the second period.

Boss John Eustace threw on Sonupe at half time for defender James Pearson as Austin slotted in at left back.

The home side continued to press and were handed a chance to level when James McQuilkin was bundled to the floor in the box by sub Harry Winter on 56 minutes.

However, the opportunity was spurned by Sonupe who saw his penalty saved by Ormson.

The miss just halted Harriers' momentum as Stockport worked hard to shut down the space.

Sonupe then blazed over from Ngwatala's ball in as they remained frustrated.

Stockport bagged a vital second 20 minutes from time from a corner.

A short one found Stephenson at the near post and he turned well to fire through a crown and beyond Hall.

Harriers looked to hit back but when sub Andre Brown rattled the post from the edge of the box on 75 minutes it seemed like it wasn't going to be their day.

They were, however, handed a lifeline in the 77th minute when Horsfall rose to head home McQuilkin's free-kick from the right wing.

Harriers almost secured a quick-fire leveller a minute later but Brown couldn't convert Ngwatala's cross as the blocks flew in.

Stockport were suddenly rocking heading into the final 10 minutes and dropped deep to cope.

The Reds did find an equaliser in the 81st minute when Sonupe drifted in behind to gather fellow sub Liam Truslove's diagonal ball in. He took a touch and rolled it beyond the outrushing Ormson to set up a big finish.

Harriers' push for a winner was hindered three minutes from time when goal scorer Horsfall picked up his second yellow when halting Bohan Dixon's late surge.

Ironside's drilled effort and O'Connor's follow up header were both saved by Ormson as the clash remained level meaning the two sides will have to do battle again on Tuesday night.

Harriers: Hall, Vaughan (Truslove 77), Pearson (Sonupe 45) Croasdale (c), Horsfall, O'Connor, Austin, McQuilkin, Ironside, Ngwatala, Bradley (Brown 61).

Unused subs: Wright, Palmer.

Stockport: Ormson, Cowan (Winter 48), Duxbury, Ball, Clarke, O'Halloran (c), Thomas, Stopforth, Oswell (Dixon 84), Turner (McKenna 56), Stephenson.

Unused subs: Downing, Smith.

Att: 1,348 (190).