KIDDERMINSTER Harriers manager Mark Yates believes his troops can use Tuesday's 6-0 hammering of Stafford Rangers as a springboard to end the Blue Square Premier on a high.

The Aggborough side blew away the gloomy clouds that had been hovering over the club after four defeats in a row by recording their biggest win in 12 years.

The derby victory marks a turnaround in fortunes for Harriers, who had looked in danger of slipping into the division's lower reaches.

Now the manager has demanded his troops maintain the high standards they have set themselves for the rest of the season and thrust the side into the higher echelons of the table.

A dismal run of results saw Harriers' play-offs hopes fade away and left them treading water in 12th place.

However, after watching his players match leaders Aldershot in Saturday's 2-1 loss and tear apart Stafford Yates is feeling cautiously upbeat (read reports).

"The players did very well against Aldershot and even though we didn't get the right result I saw signs that their confidence was returning," said the manager.

"We could see the players looking bright in training on Monday and I had a feeling we were going to improve.

"The Stafford performance was very good. We have always asked the players to keep it simple and play good football and they let the shackles off.

"Now we have to make sure we perform like this week-in-and-week-out.

"We have shown what we are capable of in fits and spurts but have not been consistent enough over the season.

"Now we have the confidence to really end the season well and finish in a respectable spot in the league."

In more good news for the club defender Luke Jones' loan from League Two side Shrewsbury Town has been extended until April 1.

The 20-year-old joined the club on a month's loan at the end of the transfer window and has started every game.

Yates is hopeful of keeping the towering centreback at the club longer, but that decision may depend on Shrewsbury's next manager after Gary Peters left the club on Monday.

Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Matthew Bailey returned to the Molineux after failing to nail down a regular spot at Harriers.

Yates said: "Luke's a player I like a great deal. He's made a good impact here and I am pleased to have him for another month.

"I feel for Matt because he's a good player. He joined us at the wrong time because we were low on confidence.

"We'll monitor his situation at Wolverhampton."

Andy Ferrell is set to miss Saturday's league clash at home to Grays with an ankle injury, while Gavin Hurren is a doubt with a hip problem.