Harriers 2, Brackley 0

CAPTAIN Ash Chambers bagged a brace as Harriers retuned to winning ways against Brackley.

Kidderminster secured their first win in five games as they put a disappointing November behind them.

Chambers struck in either half to hand his side a much-needed victory at Aggborough.

Reds made one change from the side that lost to York in the FA Trophy as Declan Weeks came in for the injured Billy Daniels.

Harriers were again the quicker out the blocks and worked the first opening as captain Chambers curled wide after neat build-up play on three minutes.

They continued to look lively in the final third and it took Town keeper Dan Lewis to keep out Ed Williams after nine minutes when he got down well to tip away his low near post drive.

That early pressure told after 11 minutes when Chambers was on hand to deflect home Dan Bradley’s cross from the right and give Reds a deserved lead.

Brackley’s first real chance of the game was passed up by Lee Ndlovu on 20 minutes when he failed to keep down his far post header after Shane Byrne’s pinpoint cross.

The visitors continued to grow into the contest and Brandon Hall had to be a full stretch to push away former Kidderminster man Dan Nti’s low strike from the edge of the area five minutes later.

However, Harriers did nearly make it two on the half hour mark after Chambers turned well on half way and played in Bradley. But Lewis was again alert to the danger and came out to smother his effort.

The clash remained an even affair in blustery conditions approaching the break but Harriers did enough to maintain their narrow advantage.

Town still posed a threat in the closing moments but couldn’t draw level. Adam Walker dragged one effort wide of Hall’s far post before Matt Lowe then heading into the side netting moments later.

The second half remained an even affair as chances for either sides dried up for long spells.

The first chance of note in the second period fell to Ndlovu again but he drilled a snapshot powerfully wide from just inside the box on 58 minutes.

Harriers found the crucial second just past the hour mark after a lightning break from Kane Richards. He burst from deep in his own half before playing a fine reverse pass to strike partner Chambers.

The hitman secured his second after taking a touch and firing beyond isolated keeper Lewis.

Brackley soon pressed for a way back but Matt Lowe’s strong effort from the right corner of the penalty box was well held by Hall.

Harriers were content to soak up pressure and play on the break as the clash approached the final 10 minutes.

They saw out the final moments without too much concern as MacFarlane’s men stayed firmly in the National League North play-off places.

Harriers: Hall, Vaughan, Austin, Penn, Horsfall, Johnson, Weeks, Richards (Baxendale 71), Chambers (c) (Waring 82), Bradley, Williams.

Unused subs: Wagner, Phillips, Palmer.

Brackley: Lewis, Myles, Murombedzi, Byrne, Hall, Dean (c), G. Walker, Nti, Ndlovu (Fairlamb 60), Lowe, A. Walker (Jeffers 81).

Unused subs: Franklin, Finch.

Att: 1,288 (58).