DAVE Hockaday has called for a winning mentality from struggling Kidderminster Harriers.

The head coach saw the Reds come agonisingly close to a first win of the season only for Michael Rankine’s 95th-minute goal to seal a 2-2 draw at Altrincham on Tuesday night.

It was a dramatic evening during a hectic week for Kidderminster’s new man, who had only taken the reins last Friday.

That frenetic start continues on Saturday when Harriers, who are bottom of the Vanarama National League, tackle 22nd-placed Southport on Saturday (3pm kick-off) in Hockaday’s first game in charge at Aggborough.

Hockaday, who has had spells at Forest Green Rovers and Leeds United, has signed a deal until the end of the season when his position will be reviewed.

While drafted in to develop Harriers’ young squad, his main task will be to guide them away from the relegation zone.

“It has been a busy week and we’ve got two days to prepare for Saturday and pick the players up after a painful draw.

“I only really had a day to work with the players and there has already been a response.

“After Southport we will have a full week in training to improve certain areas.

“But what’s most important is the winning mentality, it doesn’t matter who we play on Saturday as long as we score and keep a clean sheet.

“At the moment everybody is better than us because we are bottom of the league.

“We improved from Macclesfield to Altrincham and we can make the same improvement again. I want us to be closing the gap on the sides above us and then moving up the table as quick as we possibly can.”

Hockaday has also demonstrated a ruthless side after dropping senior players Joe Clarke and Reece Styche to the bench for the trip to Altrincham.

He’s also not been fazed by handing starts to new additions Jordan Murphy, Ben Whitfield, Joe Ward and Callum Hassan.

Former Stourbridge youth player Murphy joined Kidderminster on a month’s youth loan from Walsall after their pursuit of Fleetwood’s Ashley Hunter came to nothing.

Hassan, who scored against Altrincham, has signed on a non-contract basis, while Whitfield and Ward are on loan from Bournemouth and West Brom, respectively, for a month.

Striker Andre Wright has also returned to parent club Albion, while Kevin Toner’s spell from Aston Villa is set to come to an end on Saturday but could be extended.

Meanwhile, Kidderminster’s request to increase the number of tickets for the mouth watering FA Cup fourth-qualifying round clash at Stourbridge on Saturday, October 24, has been knocked back by the Glassboys.

Kidderminster have been allocated 300 tickets, which is 15 percent of the War Memorial Ground’s 2,000 capacity.

But with FA Cup fever hitting the supporters, there is a clamour for more.

To follow the action from Saturday's vital game against Southport, keep up with the action with The Shuttle's live match updates.