Amari Morgan-Smith’s first goal of the season helped Harriers end their winless run and make progress in the FA Trophy with a 2-1 win at St Albans City.

The victory was a first for Russ Penn’s men since October 29th, the side having suffered four chastening defeats in succession in the interim.

But an explosive second half changed their fortunes at Clarence Park. The National League South side had been ahead at the break and looked in control of the tie after Zane Banton’s ball forward had been tucked beyond debutant Harriers goalkeeper Tom Billson by Mitchell Weiss to put the Saints ahead.

The men from Aggborough to turn the tie on its head in the second 45, however, with one of their more potent displays of the campaign.

Zak Brown, pushed further forward after the half-time introduction of Keziah Martin in place of Keziah Martin, saw one effort blocked away inside a minute of the restart – but wouldn’t be denied two minutes later when he finished from Jack Bearne’s low cross for his second goal of the season.

Home stopper Dylan Berry would then produce a string of superb saves to keep Harriers at bay. He thwarted Ben Margetson at the far post shortly after the goal, and on 70 minutes flew to his top right corner to keep out a rising effort from another visiting debutant in Joe Leesley.

Three minutes further on he was at it again. Brown and the excellent Bearne combined to set-up Morgan-Smith who struck an effort sweetly at goal that Berry sprang to meet with his knees.

With eleven minutes left to play, though, there would be no way of keeping Morgan-Smith out. Ashley Hemmings had taken aim from distance with a shot the goalkeeper sprawled to meet, unwittingly spilling it into the path of the alert Harriers marksman who slotted home the follow-up to open his account for the term.

Harriers always looked the more dangerous on the break and most likely to grab a third goal, but Billson did his bit at the other end with some sound handling to help take the sting out of the game and make sure of Harriers’ place in Tuesday’s Second Round draw.

“I thought the first half was too much like a basketball game, I didn’t feel comfortable,” said Russ Penn at full time.

“We changed a few things round at half time and I thought we absolutely dominated the game.

“If it wasn’t for their goalkeeper, who was outstanding by the way, it would’ve been more.”

Hours after finding out their opposition at the next stage of the Trophy on Tuesday, Harriers will be back in League action as they travel to local rivals AFC Telford (7:45pm).