Harriers 1, Brackley Town 3

HARRIERS remain without a home win this season after being comfortably beaten by Brackley.

Goals from Shane Byrne and Thierry Audel put Town in control at Aggborough as Kidderminster failed to fire.

Correy Davidson did give the home side hope before the break but a second half strike from James Armson wrapped up the win for the visitors.

Only late saves from goalkeeper Cameron Gregory prevented Brackley from chalking up even more goals in the closing stages.

Harriers handed starts to new loan duo Jamie Sharman and Ollie Shenton in the absence of Rhys Williams and Milan Butterfield, who were both away on international duty.

The hosts even got off to a bright start and got their passing game going on a slick surface. Their main early threat came down each flank with wing-backs Sam Austin and Correy Davidson.

Despite that it was Brackley that created the first real opening on 17 minutes as Lee Ndlovu couldn’t get his header on target after Matt Lowe had headed a cross back across goal.

That chance came after the visitors had enjoyed a good spell of possession themselves and soon had the home side pegged back in their own half.

Town were ahead on 20 minutes as Byrne fired home from 20 yards after he’d been set-up by Luke Fairlamb after the forward’s fine driving run down the left channel.

Cameron Gregory had to get down well to push away Ellis Myles’ low drive moments later as Brackley kept the pressure on.

Brackley did have their second just past the half hour mark after Audel converted from close range after Gregory had spilt Byrne’s free-kick from the left corner of the penalty area.

Harriers were struggling to get out their own half as passes went astray and the foul count ramped up.

However, they were suddenly back in it before the break as they netted on the stroke of half time with their first effort of the game.

Davidson was on hand to fire home from inside the area after keeper Danny Lewis had pushed away Ed Williams’ ball from the right.

Despite that setback it was Brackley that still carried the bigger threat at the start of the second half.

Gregory pushed away Armson’s angled drive on 57 minutes before Fairlamb dragged another effort wide a minute later.

Glenn Walker was the next to curl narrowly wide as the chances continued to arrive for the visitors.

Ash Chambers drilled a dipping effort over the bar from a rare move in the final third from the Reds.

However, Brackley soon made it three after Armson rolled the ball home when Ndlovu’s shot from the edge of the box was deflected into his path.

Harriers still worked hard to find a way back as Chambers and Peniket both tested Lewis.

Brackley nearly added to their tally on the break but the impressive Byrne saw another effort hit the inside of the post and somehow stay out.

Gregory then kept the score down by denying Ndlovu and Armson in the final five minutes.

Harriers: Gregory, Austin, Davidson, Sharman, Moyo (c), Johnson, Prosser (White 63), Shenton (Freemantle 80), Chambers, Williams, Peniket.

Unused subs: Palmer, Higginson, Lowth.

Brackley: Lewis, Myles, Walker, Byrne, Audel, Dean (c), Lowe (Daire 89), Armson, Ndlovu (Holman 88), Fairlamb, Murombebzi.

Unused subs: Baker, Franklin, Langmead.

Att: 1,069 (32).