Harriers 2, Torquay 2

Peter McKinney reports from Aggborough

THE winning habit continues to evade Harriers but a spirited fight back salvaged a point against ten man Torquay on another frustrating night.

Reece Styche’s 92nd minute penalty ensured they made it back-to-back draws for the first time this season in the Vanarama National League.

For those Kidderminster fans brave enough to glimpse at the table, Harriers are bottom but they are far from stranded. Somehow the Reds have to find a way to turn effort and determination into victories.

Ironically, they have five points after ten games and boast exactly the same record as the beginning of the 2012-13 campaign.

Back then, an experienced squad memorably finished second in the table but the current group undoubtedly have contrasting aspirations this time around.

They certainly have the spirit and stomach for the task ahead after another gutsy display.

Up against a direct Torquay side who themselves had not won for six games, Kiddy started slowly and paid the price when James Hurst curled home a 16th minute free-kick into the top corner.

But the hosts rallied and Kelvin Langmead bulleted a header goalwards in the 40th minute, only for Fabian Spiess to produce an improbable flying save.

Styche was desperately unlucky three minutes later when his deft 25-yard chip got the better of Spies, who was only playing after the FA upheld Torquay’s appeal following his sending off against Welling, only to crash off the post.

When former Reds player Simon Heslop was shown a straight red card for a cynical challenge on Styche as he drove forward, Harriers’ fortunes appeared to have changed.

The hosts scented a fight back and Lathaniel Rowe-Turner’s header drew a fine save from Spiess.

Torquay’s custodian finally fluffed his lines in the 57th minute when he flapped at Jake Green’s cross and allowed Aman Verma to head home a leveller.

Admirably, the visitors stayed strong and Nathan Fisher spurned a good chance when he headed over the bar.

A massive slice of bad luck then stunned the hosts. Louis Briscoe’s shot from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection off the unfortunate Jared Hodgkiss as he intervened but the ball fell to Hurst, who fired accurately home in the 68th minute.

Hurst had one more role to play in an enthralling encounter, pulling down substitute Jamie Spencer to give away an injury time spot-kick, which Styche slotted home confidently to save the home side’s blushes.

“I thought the game was gone to be honest but you have to applaud the players and give them a slap on the back, as well as a kick up the backside for the silly things they are doing,” said head of football operations Gary Whild.

“Those mistakes tell us why we are where we are.”

HARRIERS: Palmer 6, Hodgkiss 7, Rowe-Turner 6, Langmead 7, Clarke 6, Singh 6, Verma 7, Dinsley 7 (Wright, 65), Green 6, Styche 6, Campbell 6 (Spencer, 79).

Subs not used: Snedker, Jones, Sweeney.

TORQUAY: Spiess, Hurst, Butler, McDonald, Geohaghon, Briscoe, Carmichael, Fisher (Lavelle-Moore, 90), Smith, Quigley (Fenwick, 53), Heslop.

Subs not used: Murombddzi, Odofin, Lavercombe.

Referee: Richard Martin (Somerset) Attendance: 1493 (196)