Composed Harriers see off Altrincham

Defender Martin Riley was shown a straight red card in the 16th minute but can count himself unlucky after he seemed to innocently collide with Altrincham hitman Dale Johnson.

The incident sparked a furious first half, where Altrincham were reduced to ten men after Shaun Densmore's first-half dismissal.

Despite the setback, the home side were the better team and deserved to win the game with goals from Brian Smikle (2) and Matthew Barnes-Homer.

After last week's win at Grays Athletic, manager Mark Yates picked the same starting line-up that played so well in Essex.

There was also no place on the bench for striker Robbie Matthews, who missed last week's win because of a groin strain.

Left-back Lee Baker made his 50th start for Harriers, after joining the club from West Bromwich Albion last season.

The game had a subdued start, with neither side offering anything in attack.

But it came to life in the ninth minute when Riley blocked Tom Kearney's firm shot from the edge of the box.

Two minutes later Harriers took the lead, when winger Kyle Hadley saw his shot blocked and Smikle pounced on the rebound to score from close range.

But they were stunned in the 16th minute when Riley was harshly shown a straight red card for a professional foul.

Altrincham forward Dale Johnson latched onto Danny Heffernan's long ball forward but he was brought down when Riley seemed stumble and fall into the hitman just outside the area.

The incident looked innocent enough but referee Michael Naylor did not hesitate to give the Harriers man his marching orders.

From the resulting free-kick, keeper Dean Coleman did well to save Kearney's effort which had burst through Harriers' wall.

Fuelled by a sense injustice, Harriers doubled their lead in the 23rd minute.

Dean Bennett's long ball forward caught out the visiting defence and Barnes-Homer burst through and nudged the ball over the keeper as he rushed out.

The striker was injured for his troubles when he collided with Altrincham's shot-stopper.

Tempers were flaring as both sides became frustrated by the referee, who levelled up the sides in the 36th minute when he sent off Densmore for a scything tackle from behind on Brian Smikle.

As the away side regrouped, Harriers tried to take advantage and Chris McPhee, who had moved up front to replace the injured Barnes-Homer after a stint in defence, dragged a shot just wide.

Late in the half Kearney was lucky not to be sent off for a two-footed challenge on Hadley, who thankfully evaded the challenge. The Altrincham man was shown a yellow card for his efforts.

Away manager Graham Heathcote, who had to be pulled away by his assistant as the referee walked off at half-time, made one change at the start of the second half, replacing Danny Heffernan with veteran goal-poacher Colin Little.

But Harriers stunned the away side by scoring 38 seconds into the second half.

Once again, Harriers widemen were behind the goal, with Hadley whipping in a cross from the right that Smikle finished with aplomb at the far post.

The away side were further frustrated when striker Chris Senior was stretchered off in the 56th minute after he slipped awkwardly while battling for the ball.

With a big lead, Harriers looked composed in a second half that didn't match the first for incident and controversey.

There was also an impressive cameo performance by substitute defender Tom Sharpe, who was composed on his league debut for the club.

The away side, deflated by the third goal, searched for a lifeline but failed to threaten Coleman's goal.

Chris Denham saw an effort blocked by Baker but Altrincham offered little going forward.

Smikle could have sealed a hat-trick when he was released by McPhee but his shot was blocked by Coburn.

Dangerman Little got a rare strike on Harriers' goal in the 84th minute but Coleman comfortably saved.

McPhee, who produced an impressive display playing in midfield, defence and up front, almost grabbed a fourth goal in the 90th minute when his 20-yard effort hit the bar.

Denham was unfortunate not to grab a consolation goal in the 91st minute when he slid into meet a cross but his effort richocheted off the bar.

Substitute Darryl Knights could have sealed a deserved wiin with a goal late on but shot over from distance.

Harriers: Coleman 6; Courtney 7; Caines 7; Riley 7; Baker 7; McPhee 7; Bennett 7; Finnigan 7 (Finnigan, 71); Smikle 8; Barnes-Homer (Sharpe, 34) 7; Hadley 7 (Knights, 77).

Unused substitues: Singh; Dolman.

Altrincham: Coburn; Smith; Doughty; Kearney (Williams, 52); Young; Densmore; Denham; Johnson; Danlyk; Senior (Clee, 56); Heffernan (Little, 46).

Unused substitutes: Lawton; Saunders.

Referee: Michael Naylor.

Attendance: 1,415 (114)