Harriers 1, Bradford Park Avenue 2

HARRIERS conceded in injury time as they lost to Bradford in the final league game of the season.

The dramatic late winner from Adam Boyes didn't have any baring on the Reds' final standing but kept the visitors' season alive and hands them a return to Aggborough in the play-off quarter-finals on Wednesday night.

Kidderminster had controlled things for long spells after Dan Bradley's first half opener.

However, Bradford staged a late rally after Frank Mulhern found an equaliser in the last 10 minutes.

A much-changed Harriers side again faltered late on and will now have to move on quickly in time for Wednesday night.

The winner of that game with then earn a semi-final clash at Brackley next Sunday (May 6).

Boss John Eustace made seven changes to today's starting line-up with the play-off in mind, most notably a new centre back pairing as Kennedy Digie came in to partner Joel Taylor at the heart of the defence.

Top scorer Joe Ironside and skipper Ryan Croasdale started from the bench.

Harriers worked the first opening on three minutes when a lofted Dan Bradley effort had visiting keeper Steven Drench stretching to turn it away.

The start to the contest remained an even one with Bradford keen to get on the front foot.

They almost opened the scoring on eight minutes as captain Nicky Wroe drilled an effort against Brandon Hall's post after the ball fell to him just inside the area.

However, it was the home side that took the lead on 14 minutes as Elton Ngwatala, playing in a deeper midfield role, picked out the run of Bradley in behind the Bradford backline.

He took a touch before finishing emphatically past Drench to notch his eighth goal in his last seven games.

Harriers continued to control the tempo and saw a Mani Sonupe effort sail narrowly wide on 26 minutes.

The visitors had their best spell just past the half hour mark as they rallied and went looking for a leveller.

First Jamie Spencer failed to guide an effort on target after Ollie Johnson's powerful run down the left on 33 minutes.

Just a minute later it took a point blank save from Hall to deny Johnson.

However, the hosts soon went back to dominating possession without really troubling Drench and took their lead into half time.

It was Bradford that created the first opening of the second period when Frank Mulhern forced Hall to tip away a near post drive.

Luca Havern then headed the resulting corner narrowly wide.

Harriers worked their own efforts from Lee Vaughan and then Sam Austin approaching the hour mark.

Sonupe then drove straight into the arms of Drench from the edge of the box in the 62nd minutes as Kidderminster's advantage remained at one.

The visitors weren't playing with much urgency for a side on the brink of dropping out of the top seven as the clash hit a flat spot heading towards the final 15 minutes.

Sonupe did escape down the right flank in the 73rd minute but chose to shoot when he should have been looking for a free George Waring at the far post.

Bradford did eventually manage to put the pressure on but they and Johnson were again denied by Hall in the 76th minute.

The striker collected a return ball in the box but saw his chipped effort palmed away by the stopper.

Bradford remained on the front foot and did find the equaliser on 80 minutes.

A corner was punched to the edge of the box by Hall but Mulhern was able to guide a well-controlled effort into the bottom corner.

Austin fired wide for the Reds soon after before Hall kept out Mulhern as the sides exchanged late chances.

The clash looked set to end in a draw until Boyes' late winner.

The striker was on hand to tap home after a moment of hesitation from Taylor allowed Johnson to nip in. His effort fell straight to Boyes who had the simple task to keep his side season alive.

Both sides will now prepare for repeat fixture in four days time.

Harriers: Hall, Vaughan (c), Austin, Weeks, Digie, Taylor, Sonupe, Truslove (Waring 60), Brown, Bradley (Pearson 45), Ngwatala.

Unused subs: Croasdale, McQuilkin, Ironside.

Bradford: Drench, Ross, Atkinson, Wroe (c), Killock, Havern, Brooksby, Spencer (Vidal 75), Boyes, Johnson, Mulhern (Boshell 90).

Unused subs: Toulson, Hall.

Att: 1,642 (59).