Harriers 1
Histon 1

HARRIERS could not take their chances as they dropped two points against Histon at Aggborough on Saturday (read reaction).

The home side could have wrapped up the points in the first half after carving out a number of good chances to score after Iyseden Christie had put them ahead.

But Histon keeper Danny Naisbitt made several excellent saves as the visitors lived on the edge, before striker Danny Wright took advantage of a mistake by Harriers shot-stopper Dean Coleman to make it 1-1.

Despite the draw Harriers are now unbeaten in seven Blue Square Premier games, while Histon have not lost in eight.

Manager Mark Yates was forced to make one change from the side which defeated Halifax 6-1 on Tuesday, as player of the season Mark Creighton missed the game with infected blisters on his feet.

It meant that on-loan Cheltenham defender Chris Wylde was handed his first start for Harriers since joining in March.

Harriers' red-hot hitman Christie made it seven goals in successive games and bagged his 11th in as many matches for Harriers in the eighth minute when he rifled Andy Ferrell's low cross beyond Naisbitt.

The home side looked set to overwhelm Histon but Naisbitt was in defiant form. He made a fine one-handed save to keep out Simon Russell's 30-yard shot.

Minutes later he dived to his right to turn Christie's goal-bound effort around the post.

Wylde thought he had scored on his full Harriers debut from a corner but Jack Midson cleared his header off the line.

With the visitors all at sea Harriers continued to push for a second goal, with Andy Ferrell's free-kick clipping the bar and Dean Bennett's volley hitting the post.

Russ Penn also shot wide near the end of the first half.

In comparison Histon had to wait until the final minute of the half for their first serious attempt on target but Coleman tipped Nathaniel Knight-Percival's shot over.

But Harriers' understudy keeper, in for the injured Chris MacKenzie, gifted Histon a 52nd minute equaliser.

Surrounded by a host of Histon players he flapped at Gareth Gwillim's long throw into the box and after a goal-mouth scramble Wright hit the back of the net.

Harriers almost responded immediately but Russ Penn was unfortunate to see his goal-bound effort blocked by Matthew Mitchel-King moments later.

The hosts pushed for a second goal but Harriers could not find a way through. Simon Russell saw a hopeful effort fly wide, while Iyseden Christie also scooped a shot over the bar.

Harriers also felt that they had a good call for a penalty denied by referee Amy Rayner in the 83rd minute, after Christie was wrestled to the ground by Patrick Ada in the area.

The striker was adamant it was a penalty but he was booked for dissent by the official as both sides settled for a point.

Harriers: Coleman; Kenna; Hurren; Wylde; Russell; Penn; Ferrell; Bennett (Smikle, 91); Barnes-Homer (Knights, 75); Jeannin; Christie.

Histon: Naisbitt; Okay (Ada, 31); Gwillim; Mitchell-King; Langston; Kennedy; Midson (Barker, 73); Nightingale (Cambridge, 53); Murray; Wright; Knight-Percival.

Referee: Amy Rayner (Leicestershire). Attendance: 1,540