Harriers’ momentum hit hard by Histon fight back

In recent weeks an emerging side had railed-roaded all before them with a series of impressive results.

Harriers had been going at full steam ahead before this clash but Histon proved to be the equivalent of the wrong sort of snow on the train track.

While they were unable to make it six wins in seven games, the in-form side stretched their unbeaten run to seven in the Blue Square Premier.

In a game that had a lot of good, a little bit of bad and a hint of ugly for the home fans to take in, Harriers would have secured all three points if they had enjoyed more luck in front of goal during a dominant first half.

But they paid the price for not adding to Iyseden Christie's strike, when Danny Wright pounced on a slip by keeper Dean Coleman after the break.

With player of the season Mark Creighton missing the game with infected blisters on his feet, manager Mark Yates handed on-loan Cheltenham defender Michael Wylde his full debut.

The visitors came into the game on the back of a seven-game unbeaten run, which they were fortunate to extend as they were no match for the dominant hosts.

Watched by Wrexham boss Brian Little, Harriers fizzed the ball about confidently and thrusted forward with menacing purpose.

Christie maintained his remarkable goal form for Harriers, when he scored for the seventh successive game and made it 11 in as many matches in the eighth minute.

The hitman, out of contract in the summer, took advantage of injured Histon forward Wright being off the pitch for treatment to rifle Andy Ferrell's low cross past keeper Danny Naisbitt.

The goal should have opened the floodgates but Harriers couldn't quite match their potent form away from Aggborough.

Simon Russell's 30-yard effort looked destined to nestle in the back of the net but Naisbitt acrobatically got a hand to it.

Christie was denied an 18th goal of the season when Naisbitt tipped the shot around the corner.

Harriers threatened to overwhelm the visitors and from a corner Wylde was denied a debut goal when Jack Midson cleared off the line.

The tenacious midfield duo and Andy Ferrell and Dean Bennett were also denied by the woodwork.

Ferrell's free-kick clipped the bar and flew over, while Bennett's volley crashed off a post on the half-hour mark.

Coleman tipped over Histon's first meaningful attempt on target from Nathaniel Knight-Percival in the half's final minute.

Histon started the second half more determinedly and their long-ball tactics paid off in the 52nd minute.

Harriers had dealt with visitor's direct approach but there was panic in the area when Coleman flapped at Gareth Gwillim's throw-in under pressure from a posse of Histon players and Wright scrambled the ball into the back of the net.

Despite the set back the young keeper showed his mental toughness a minute later when he rushed out and blocked Antonio Murray's shot.

Wright blasted wide moments later as Harriers rocked but they soon regained their composure.

A fluent move involving Matthew Barnes-Homer and Russell set-up Russ Penn but his goal-bound shot was blocked by a diving Matthew Mitchel-King.

Harriers pushed for a winner but their finishing could not match the build-up play with Russell's tame effort saved by Naisbitt.

As the clocked ticked by Harriers saw chances go begging, with Christie denied by Naisbitt from close-range and Penn shooting over from distance.

The hosts looked to have a good call for a penalty in the 83rd minute, when the burly Patrick Ada wrapped himself around Christie as he spun away from him in the box and hauled him to the ground.

The baying home fans anticipated a spot-kick but referee Amy Rayner booked the striker for dissent after ignoring his calls for justice.

Listen to Dean Coleman's podcast after the game or see the picture gallery .

Harriers: Coleman 6; Kenna 6; Hurren 6; Wylde 6; Russell 6; Penn 6; FERRELL 7; Bennett 7 (Smikle, 91); Barnes-Homer 6 (Knights, 75); Jeannin 6; Christie 7.

Histon: Naisbitt; Okay (Ada, 31); Gwillim; Mitchell-King; Langston; Kennedy; Midson (Barker, 73); Nightingale (Cambridge, 53); Murray; Wright; Knight-Percival.

Referee: Amy Rayner (Leicestershire). Attendance: 1,540.