Sniper Smikle slays luckless Dragons

Mark Yates’ side took the scalp of another of the Blue Square Premier’s in-form sides and stuck the proverbial two fingers up at the television broadcaster.

Harriers’ excellent form this season has been snubbed by the digital channel, who have not selected them for the latest round of the televised live games.

But Yates’ troops shouldn’t worry and keep on enjoying the good life by producing impressive results such as this one.

Brian Smikle maintained his excellent run of form by bagging his seventh goal of the season, before the home side rode their luck to end Wrexham’s five-game winning streak in the league.

The win further cemented Harriers’ top five place and was the third time in a row that they had won 1-0.

But unlike George Graham’s infamous Arsenal side, there's nothing boring about Harriers this season.

Infact, if television chiefs at Setanta are looking for a ratings thriller they should look no further than the Worcestershire wonders.

Harriers have more in common with American white knuckle thriller Prison Break and they certainly got out of jail against Dean Saunders’ impressive outfit.

The home side more than competed with Wrexham but needed heroics from keeper Adam Bartlett and the woodwork to defy the Welsh side.

Harriers had an early escape in the sixth minute, when winger Wes Baynes was given too much space down the right wing and unleashed a shot that could have earned a slot on Match of the Day's goal of the season competition.

Luckily for Harriers the thunderbolt crashed off the post and ricocheted to safety.

The hosts soon replied and Martin Brittain’s accurate cross forced Ashley Westwood to head over his own bar.

Minutes later the Geordie wideman tested keeper Gavin Ward with a long range effort.

Winger Smikle showed his team-mates the way to goal and highlighted his transformation from late television slot filler to a prime time ratings topper.

Harriers’ confidently stroked the ball around and worked Matthew Barnes-Homer down the right wing and the striker delivered an excellent cross.

Smikle, who is almost running his personal goal of the season campaign, added another pearler to his collection when he chested down the ball at the far post and rifled an unstoppable shot into roof of the net.

Confident Wrexham, who believe they can be a contender for promotion, replied almost immediately but Nathan Woolfe’s curling shot hit a post.

Russ Penn, who produced an energetic performance in attack and defence, was firmly challenged by Ritchie De Laet as he latched onto Justin Richards’ backheel on edge of the area.

The home fans were screaming for a penalty when on-loan Manchester City midfielder Angelos Tsiaklis seemed to handle Keith Lowe’s cross.

The visitors failed to strike it lucky just before the end of the first half when striker Jefferson Louis hit the post.

Harriers suffered a set-back in the 50th minute when top scorer Justin Richards had to come off after being injured while going in for a challenge.

With the visitors spurred on by the 800 strong army of away fans, Harriers had to repel waves of attack from their battlements.

As Wrexham pushed for a leveller, the pressure seemed to be too much, but in the 64th minute Bartlett made the save of the season so far.

The hosts had been unable to clear a corner properly and substitute Patrick Suffo blasted a volley towards goal from close range. The ball seemed destined to fly past Harriers’ keeper, who somehow shot out his left hand to desperately push the ball behind.

Substitute Darryl Knights looked the most likely to grab a second goal for the under pressure hosts.

He saw a firm attempt deflect off Baynes, before seeing another decent effort fly across the face of Gavin Ward’s goal.

Woolfe was making in-roads down the right wing and giving left-back Lee Baker a hard time.

The Wrexham wideman outmuscled the full-back and passed the ball to Suffo, but Andy Ferrell arrived late to hack the ball away from danger. Harriers’ goal continued to enjoy a charmed life when Woolfe flashed a low 20-yard shot wide of a post.

Bartlett was again called into action when Baynes broke free down the right but his low angled drive was clawed away by the diving keeper.

With their side pegged back by concerted Wrexham pressure, Harriers’ fans held their breath.

Wrexham’s profligacy in front of goal again let the hosts off the hook in the game’s final moments. The hosts were opened up by Woolfe’s cross but Welsh under-21 international Marc Williams shot wide from a yard out.

Bartlett, who was pelted by the away fans for the entire second half, was called into action for the final time, when he bravely dived on a teasing square pass with Suffo looking to profit.

After the final whistle, Yates came out and ushered his players off as a small section of away fans tried to invade the pitch but were prevented by the prompt action of Harriers’ stewards.

Harriers: BARTLETT 9; Baker 6; Creighton 7; Riley 7; Lowe 7; Smikle 8; Ferrell 7; Penn 7; Brittain 6 (Jones, 88); Richards 6 (Knights, 54 ); Barnes-Homer 6.

Unused substitutes: Moore; Coleman; Bennett.

Wrexham: Ward; Tremarco (Suffo, 63); Baynes; Louis; Mike Williams; Marc Williams; Westwood; Tsiaklis; De Laet (Taylor, 40 ); Woolfe; Fairhurst (Mackin, 78).

Unused substitutes: Evans; Taylor; Mackin; Suffo; Edwards.

Referee: SP Beck. Attendance: 2,403.

CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO LISTEN TO MARTIN RILEY'S INTERVIEW:

OR SEE PICTURES FROM THE GAME