KIDDERMINSTER boss John Pemberton felt a lack of cutting edge in the final third was all that was missing from another fine display from his young players.

Harriers are still winless at Aggborough this season after suffering a 1-0 defeat against in-form Alfreton Town.

Dominic Smith headed home a first half corner to give the visitors the spoils.

Pemberton was pleased with the way his side performed but was left to rue a lack of threat up front during a closely fought contest.

He said: “I just praised them after that performance. I’m not as disappointed as when we’ve been beaten before.

“I thought they were magnificent again today.

“They are a good side, Alfreton. They are strong, well organised, got a bit of experience, the two strikers up front are a handful but I thought we coped with it really well.

“We looked strong today, we looked fit and at times we pinned them back. We just needed that little bit of quality in the final third and we haven’t had that today.

“I’m disappointed with the goal because for some reason the two players decided to swap and I don’t know why because the set pieces weren’t causing us a problem. But I’d rather young players made the decision than didn’t so I’m not going to hammer them for that, but they had no need to switch men. it’s the switch of men that’s caused the problem with the goal.

“We want players to take responsibility, I’ll take responsibility for that for them. They are my responsibility and I think they’ve been great.

“I don’t think we’ve got the result we deserved.”