Vaughan the hero as Harriers earn battling point at Barrow (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Vaughan the hero as Harriers earn battling point at Barrow

5:21pm Saturday 1st September 2012 in News

Barrow 1, Kidderminster Harriers 1

KEEPER Nathan Vaughan was the hero as Harriers picked up a their first point of the season at bogey ground Holker Street on Saturday.

Danny Pilkington had fired the visitors ahead early on and created a host of chances but Barrow hit back in the second half and Richie Baker levelled the scores.

But the Aggborough outfit were indebted to Vaughan, who was only playing because of an injury to Danny Lewis, as he produced a string of fine saves.

Custodian Vaughan was called into action inside two minutes when he tipped over Danny Rowe's fine free-kick.

But the away side looked determined to pick up their first points of the season and Anthony Malbon slid onto a fine low ball from Pilkington to bundle the ball into the back of the net ony for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

However, Harriers opened the scoring in the seventh minute. Callum Gittings fed in the unmarked Pilkington, who stroked home a fine shot to open his account for the away side and score their first away goal of the season.

It was nearly 2-0 moments later, when Bluebirds shot-stopper Danny Hurst flung himself at a thundering low shot from Keith Briggs and then dived at the feet of burly hitman Nathan Blissett as he tried to shoot.

With both teams yet to win a game this season, both went for goal as the match became end-to-end.

Harriers' keeper was called into action in the 22nd minute, diving down to deny former hitman Adam Boyes.

Malbon then stung Hurst's palms with a firm snapshot.

The game continued to swing either way and the impressive Vaughan produced his best save yet when he got a hand to Richie Baker's rasping first-time 20-yard effort.

Right-back Lee Vaughan was then on hand to deny Barrow. Rutherford spun neatly at a corner and shot goalwards but the defender was on the line to clear.

Malbon then tested Hurst's reactions, letting fly with a dipping 25-yard right footed effort which Barrow's custodian tipped over.

Harriers were thankful for the wayward finishing of Rowe in the 43rd minute. Mike Pearson crossed from the right and Boyes nodded the ball down to his teammate but he volleyed over the bar from 10 yards out.

Barrow made a change at the start of the second half, taking off the fitful Rowe for Chris Moore.

Chey Dunkley produced a fine block to deny Joe Jackson as he cut in from right wing and tried to shoot.

The visitors thought they had doubled their lead only to be controversially denied in the second half.

The ball had broke free when Lee Vaughan tripped over Baker and Keith Briggs hammered the ball into the back of the net, but as he did so the referee blew for what looked like a harsh foul. The Barrow man was then harshly booked.

Blisset created an opening whem he slipped the ball to substitute Marvin Johnson who slid in a ball to the far post but Malbon couldn't quite reach.

Harriers were started to be put under pressure and Harriers' keeper mis-timed a punch after Baker let-fly with a stinging effort but took the ball at the second time of asking.

The industrious Boyes latched onto a short Ryan Austin back pass and slipped the ball to Rutherford, but Harriers' keeper was equal to Rutherford's low effort.

But Barrow levelled the scores in the 77th minute when Baker's right-footed effort deflected off the grounded Mickey Demetriou and caught out Harriers' luckless keeper.

Substitute Obi Anuro had given the home side more thrust going forward and it needed a good challenge by Demetriou to deny him as he drove goalwards.

Vaughan was the hero again in his personal battle with Barrow dangerman Baker and he was equal to the midfielder's rasping effort.

Both teams pushed for a winner in time added on and Malbon flashed a header wide, only to be judged offside, while in the dying seconds, Boyes curled an effort just off target.

Harriers: N Vaughan, L Vaughan, Demetriou, Storer, Malbon, Blissett (Peniket, 71), Pilkington (Johnson, 59), Austin, Gittings (Panther, 74), Briggs, Dunkley. Unused subs: Williams, Guinan.

Barrow: Hurst, M Pearson, Skelton, Anderson, Aldred, Rutherford, Baker, Hunter, Boyes, Jackson (Anuro, 74), Rowe (Moore, 46). Unused subs: S Pearson, Hessey, Overson.

Referee: D Handley.

Attendance: 778 (46)