Burton Albion 0
Kidderminster Harriers 2

IMPRESSIVE Harriers ended Burton Albion's 16-game unbeaten run and tore up the form book to seal a memorable victory at the Pirrelli Stadium on Saturday in the Blue Square Premier.

Goals for Russ Penn and Paul Bignot had given Harriers a deserved lead but the visitors had to survive the final 20 minutes with ten men after Dean Bennett was sent off for a two-footed challenge on John Brayford.

Harriers boss Mark Yates changed his formation to 4-5-1 in a bid to nullify Burton's attacking threat and the tactic worked a treat as they bossed the game.

Harriers looked dangerous from the start and Brian Smikle had a chance to put the visitors ahead in the second minute when Justin Richards' shot deflected to him the box.

But the winger did not anticipate the ball and his tame effort was well saved by keeper Kevin Poole.

Harriers' game-plan was frustrating Burton and the visitors went ahead in the 19th minute when Russ Penn scored.

Brian Smikle's astute pass set Penn free in the box and he stroked the ball past keeper Kevin Poole to open the scoring.

Yates' hard working troops continued to see a lot of the ball and with Bennett making some dynamic runs in midfield, Andy Ferrell harrassing Burton constantly and Penn looking for a second goal, Harriers were in control.

Burton tried to hit back immediatley, but Blackwood blocked Andy Gooding's goal-bound shot and minutes later John McGrath saw a 30-yard effort fly wide of the post.

But it was Harriers who looked capable of scoring, with Richards testing Poole with a lob and Smikle causing panic in the home defence with a dangerous ball across the box.

Penn should have double Harriers' lead in the 33rd minute when Blackwood speds past two defenders and picked him out, but the Harriers midfielder shot wide.

At the other end Harriers looked comfortable and the only wobble they had was when Stuart Whitehead and keeper Chris MacKenzie got in each other's way when trying to deal with Jake Edwards' cross late in the half, but Ferrell was alert to the danger and cleared.

Penn was once again looking to add to his goal tally and he saw a goalbound effort deflected over the bar.

Home hitman Daryl Clare snatched at an effort in the 57th minute and volleyed over the bar.

Full back Paul Bignot doubled Harriers' lead in the 61st minute when he got past Burton captain Aaron Webster, exchanged passes with Richards and shot beyond Poole.

Harriers continued to be the better side and Bennett shot wide, before Clare tested MacKenzie with a low shot that the keeper easily got to.

Bennett was shown a straight red card in the 69th minute when he lunged into Brayford with a two-footed tackle.

It was a rush of blood to the on-loan midfielder's head and deserved at least a yellow card.

Despite the set back the away team kept their composure and stuck to their game plan to stifle Burton.

Clare wasted another chance when he shot wide after good work by Edwards.

Burton kept plugging away and the luckless Clare was was denied by MacKenzie's point blank save.

When the full-time whistle was blown Harriers fans roared their approval after watching their team get the best result of the season so far.

Harriers: MacKenzie 7; Creighton 7; Whitehead 7; PENN 8; Blackwood 7; Smikle 7; McGrath 6 (Barnes-Homer, 80); Ferrell 7; Bignot 7; Bennett 6, Richards (Christie, 6, 75). Subs not used: Harkness; Hurren.

Burton: Poole; Corbett; Webster; James; McGrath; Edwards; Clare; Gilroy; Austin (Harrad, 62); Brayford; Gooding.

Substitutes: Goodfellow; Holmes; Harrad; Farrell; Deeney.

Referee: GJ Sutton. Attendance:1,864.