Harriers 4
Burton 1

PROMOTION-chasing Burton were humbled as Harriers said farewell to their home fans with a rousing performance on Tuesday night.

Harriers produced another dashing attacking performance to sweep aside the Brewers in their final Blue Square Premier home clash of a schizophrenic campaign (picture gallery) .

The win, which was even more emphatic than the scoreline suggests, could not completely hide the fact that even though Burton were out-played they will be contesting the play-offs, after Stevenage Borough's defeat to Northwich Victoria ensured Nigel Clough's side finished in the top five.

But this victory increases the hope that Harriers can mount a strong challenge for the top five next season after only losing once in nine league games.

The new-look team which has emerged from the dark months of January and February have played some of the most eye-catching football in the league.

A mixture of formation, renewed confidence and the players' need to earn new contracts next season has meant that Harriers have become the division's in-form team.

The run also means that Harriers manager Mark Yates will have some tough decisions on who he should keep from his current squad.

Striker Matthew Barnes-Homer, who has blossomed with an extended run in the side, underlined his potential with his best performance of the season.

Burton had been hoping to avenge a 2-0 loss at the Pirelli Stadium and bag the three points that would secure the play-offs, but they started nervously and Harriers grew in confidence.

Barnes-Homer did his chances of securing a new contract no harm when he pounced on an error by Aaron Webster and drilled in a low cross in the 18th minute.

The ball ricocheted off keeper Kevin Poole and Tony James as both men tried to block it at the bottom right post and Darryl Knights, making his first start for four games, headed into the back of an empty net.

Knights, on-loan from Yeovil Town, is another player whose contribution has helped lift the gloom at Aggborough this season and his tireless probing and clever runs kept Burton's defence on their toes.

Burton tried to respond and keeper Dean Coleman, who replaced Chris MacKenzie, easily saved Daryl Clare's free-kick.

As the visitors poured forward they gave Harriers plenty of space to exploit and they doubled their lead in the 21st minute.

Barnes-Homer led a break down the right and delivered a teasing low ball across goal, which gave striker Iyseden Christie the easiest of tasks to put it away and make it 18 for the season.

The best moment of the match came when Harriers secured victory with a sumptuous goal in the 42nd minute.

Russ Penn pounced on the loose ball on the right of midfield and delivered a slide-rule pass. Christie cunningly stepped over it to leave Burton's defence flat-footed and Knights intelligently continued his run and slotted a fine low effort past Poole.

In the night's most surreal moment in the second half the large contingent of travelling fans started cheering after they learned that relegation battling Northwich were beating Stevenage.

The away fans had something to cheer about when Shaun Harrard pulled a goal with a crisp 78th minute volley.

The hosts' rock-solid defence was rarely threatened by lacklustre Burton. Midfielder Andy Ferrell was particularly effective as an emergency left-back after Alex Jeannin had been laid low by illness.

Barnes-Homer was terrorising Burton, who were reduced to ten men when Mark Graves limped off with injury after the visitors had made three substitutions, but could not cap a fine performance with a goal.

His best chance came late on when Knights played him in and his low left-foot shot beat Burton's keeper but crept wide of the post.

Knights was denied a hat-trick with a spectacular curling effort from the right edge of the box when Poole athletically tipped it away.

But Harriers had the last laugh from the resulting corner when defender Gavin Hurren marked his 100th game for the side when he rose to head Michael McGrath's corner into the back of the net.

Harriers: Coleman 7; Hurren 7; Creighton 7; Russell 7 (McGrath, 80); Penn 7; Ferrell 8 (Harkness, 90); Bignot 7; Bennett 7; Barnes-Homer 8; Christie 7 (Smikle, 6); Knights 8.

Burton: Poole; Corbett (Goodfellow, 46); Webster; James; McGrath; Clare (Williams, 62); Gilroy (Graves, 67); Harrad; Brayford; Simpson; Hurst.

Referee: P Tierney (Lancs): Attendance: 1,761.