Harriers 0, Telford 0

HARRIERS battled to a goalless stalemate with Telford United in their first home game of the season.

The result sees new boss Neil MacFarlane start his Reds reign with successive draws.

Kidderminster, unchanged from Saturday's draw at Alfreton Town, made a quick start to the clash.

The majority of their early pressure came through Sam Austin down the left flank.

It was the wing-back that first tested Telford keeper Max Bromley with an effort from range on six minutes.

The hosts continued to press high up the pitch to win the ball back and were quick to switch play when on the attack.

Telford worked a couple of openings of their own approaching the 20-minute mark as former Harrier Darryl Knights lifted an effort just wide and Ellis Deeney's drive from 20 yards was parried by Brandon Hall.

Joe Ironside came close to handing Harriers the lead on 35 minutes but his glancing header from Lee Vaughan's right-wing cross fell the wrong side of the far post.

Despite the home side being quick to snap into the challenges, Telford remained a threat in the final third themselves. The sides continued to cancel each other out as the game remained goalless at the break.

Harriers continued to enjoy more of the ball at the start of the second period and soon fell into their frantic efforts to close down when without it.

However, despite the energy, chances were still at a premium by the hour mark.

It looked like it would take either something very special or a set-piece to break the deadlock.

Dan Bradley fired over from the edge of the box on 72 minutes but still Bromley didn't have to make a save.

Harriers were still looking for the winner as the clash headed into extra time and they nearly found it.

Sub James Baxendale's low drive through a crowded penalty area was kept out on the line as Ryan Sears deflected the goal-bound strike onto the post.

That was enough to ensure Telford shared the spoils from a frantic but goalless affair at Aggborough.

Harriers: Hall, Vaughan, Austin, O'Connor (c), Horsfall, Johnson, Weeks, Daniels (Williams 60), Ironside, Chambers (Richards 82), Bradley (Baxendale 86).

Unused subs: Taylor, Digie.

Telford: Bromley, Sears, White, Deeney, Sutton, Streete, Cowans (Royle 65), McQuilkin, Morgan-Smith, Brown (Udoh 68), Knights (Dawson 75).

Unused subs: Lilly, Martinez.

Att: 1,778.