Harriers 0, Harrogate Town 2

HARRIERS were handed their first league defeat at Aggborough since the opening day of the season by promotion rivals Harrogate Town.

Kidderminster concede early in either half as Joe Leesley and Dominic Knowles struck to also dish out the Reds' first league defeat in 18 games.

The hosts worked hard looking for a way back but drew a rare blank against the well-drilled visitors.

Harriers had Jonathan Flatt in goal after the keeper made a late loan move from Wolves due to a thigh injury to regular number one Brandon Hall.

The hosts also had to make another late change after Jimmy O'Connor picked up an injury in the warm-up and Sam Austin came in to replace him.

After a frantic opening few moments it was Harrogate that worked the first effort on goal on six minutes when Leesley saw his left-footed free-kick deflected just over the bar.

Harriers began to enjoy more of the ball as Elton Ngwatala flashed a curling effort from 20 yards just wide of the Harrogate upright.

However, it was the visitors that broke the deadlock on 15 minutes when Leesley fired powerfully into the top corner from just inside the area after Flatt had punched away an effort by Mark Beck.

The Reds were struggling to get their usual passing game going as a physical Town side pressed high up the field.

Harriers thought they'd found a leveller when Declan Weeks' 32nd minute free-kick from 20 yards out rattled the bar and bounced down on the line.

Joe Ironside then headed home the rebound but saw his celebration halted by the assistant's flag.

Harriers saw another Ngwatala effort blocked and a Mani Sonupe shot drift weakly wide as they trailed at the break.

It got worse for the hosts just a minute into the second half when Knowles fired low past Flatt following a quick move forward that double his side's advantage.

Bradley blazed over the bar on 57 minutes and again in the 71st minute as the Reds struggled to trouble visiting keeper James Belshaw.

Bradley's impact from the bench continued as he set up Harriers' best chance of the half when curling a fine cross to the back post on 73 minutes.

Fellow sub George Waring couldn't direct his header on target as the clash rolled into the final 15 minutes.

Austin did trouble Belshaw a minute later but his low shot was easily gathered.

Harriers plugged away against the well-organised Harrogate rearguard but just couldn't find a way through.

Ngwatala also fired powerfully over the bar after a neat run to the edge of the box five minutes from time but again found the finish lacking despite the late chances continuing to mount.

The defeat is a blow to Harriers' faint hopes of hauling in league leaders Salford and they will now look to bounce back quickly to keep their play-off ambition firmly on track when they go to Darlington next Saturday.

Harriers: Flatt, Vaughan, Pearson, Croasdale (c), Horsfall, Austin, Weeks (Bradley 52), McQuilkin, Ironside (Waring 61), Ngwatala, Sonupe (Brown 61).

Unused subs: Truslove, Palmer.

Harrogate: Belshaw, Burrell, Swain, Falkingham (c), Kitching, McCombe, Thompson (Agnew 75), Emmett, Beck, Knowles (Thewlis 72), Leesley.

Unused subs: Ainge, Cracknell, Middleton.

Att: 1,739 (55).