KIDDERMINSTER manager Mark Yates praised his side's response as they dug deep to defeat Ashton United.

Harriers battled to a 1-0 away success on Tuesday night as they quickly bounced back from the disappointment of letting late goals slip at Blyth last Saturday.

Reds drew 3-3 at Spartans as the hosts netted twice in the closing stages to salvage a share of the spoils despite playing for more than 70 minutes with winger Rob Dale in goal after stopper Pete Jameson was sent off.

However, Harriers responded with a gutsy display at Ashton to keep their hopes of a late play-off push firmly on track.

A delighted Yates said: "When you look back on the Blyth result you can see that we needed to show some resolve and see danger a bit quicker so we could shut it off and stop it.

"We do have some very good attacking players but it's about having that mix and having that defensive quality to go with it.

"We worked really hard on Monday and tried to show the players in a positive manner what we needed.

"We probably worked them a bit harder than we normally would on the run-up to a game but they responded just the way we wanted.

"At Ashton the back four were solid, strong and focused and the reaction from the whole team was brilliant.

"It wasn't just the back four that cost us at the end at Blyth but we did think that if they could have just got us organised and in the right positions then we could have seen out any danger.

"Myself and Jimmy O'Connor quickly set to the task of working with them.

"They had to deal with a lot of long throws and balls into the box against a physical Ashton side but they stood up to that really well."

Harriers will look to back up the win when they welcome strugglers Nuneaton Borough this Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Yates added: "We can't take anyone lightly and we won't be doing that on Saturday. Teams come to Aggborough and see the pitch is in great conditions and the whole thing excites them and they raise their game.

"We need to make sure we work just as hard hard and show the same attitude and desire that we did at Ashton. If we do that then our ability can come to the fore."

Milan Butterfield will return from international duty with Bermuda on Friday but will hopefully be able to play a part against Borough.

The contest may come a week too soon for Nick Clayton-Phillips and Declan Weeks.