Robbie wrecks Wrexham

The lanky forward set up Brian Smikle for Harriers' opener and then opened his account for the Worcestershire club to make sure they earned all three points.

The home side had to be patient to open the scoring, despite Wrexham having midfielder Silvio Spann sent off early on for a challenge on David McDermott.

Harriers manager Mark Yates made one change from the side that lost 3-2 at York.

Captain Chris McPhee, who played as an emergency centreback after Gavin Caines was sent off early on at the weekend, replaced the big defender in the back four. That meant John Finnigan returned to midfield after seven-match injury absence.

Harriers made a good start and Matthew Barnes-Homer saw a venomous free-kick take a deflection wide.

After a slow start, Wrexham battled back into the game and it took a fine outstretched save by Dean Coleman to keep out Curtis Obeng's swerving 30-yard effort.

But the Welsh side were reduced to ten men in the 15th minute after Spann scythed down McDermott with a wreckless two-footed challenge.

The Harriers man was stretchered off and replaced by livewire winger Kyle Hadley.

Smikle enraged the 270 away fans behind goal in the 20th minute after he was booked for a late challenge on keeper Chris Maxwell.

With a man advantage, Harriers tried to make their numerical superiority count.

However, Wrexham looked dangerous on the break. Pacey forward Lamine Sakho sped down the right wing and delivered a decent cross that midfielder Mark Jones fired goalwards first-time, but Coleman drew the sting from it with a block before holding the ball.

Harriers were struggling to break down the away side, who seemed happy to sit back and try and hit the hosts on the break.

Full-back Duane Courtney had sight of goal when he cut in from the right wing and flashed a strong effort over the bar in the 32nd minute.

Smikle swivelled smartly but his weak shot was easy for Maxwell to take as Harriers flattered to deceive.

Matthews thought he'd made the breakthrough in the 45th minute when he headed the ball into the back of the net after an enterprising run and cross from Courtney, but it was ruled out for a foul in the box.

The hitman directed wide a header two minutes into the second half but had a hand in Harriers' goal in the 50th minute.

The lanky forward headed Lee Baker's delivery back across the face of goal and Smikle planted a lovely shot beyond the keeper.

Matthews doubled Harriers' advantage in the 55th minute with his first goal for the club.

Smikle drove to the edge of the box and after the ball broke free, the 27-year-old lashed it beyond Maxwell from the edge of the area.

With a two-goal lead, the home side were in total control and passed the ball around with ease. Barnes-Homer came close to grabbing another in the 64th minute when he dug out a shot that was just a fraction off target.

The away side showed spirit to push for a leveller and it took a double save by Coleman to deny them late in the second half. The shot-stopper did well to get down and block substitute Adrian Cieslewicz's shot and then made himself big enough to force Mike Williams to shoot into the side netting.

Barnes-Homer tried his luck late on when he noticed Wrexham's keeper off his line but his 20-yard effort was just off target.

In the end, Harriers could not add to their goal-tally and settled for a well-deserved three points.

Harriers: Coleman; Courtney; McPhee; Riley; Baker; McDermott (Hadley, 19 (Hayward, 75)); Finnigan (Dolman, 82); Smikle; Knights; Matthews; Barnes-Homer.

Unused substitutes: Dolman; Sharpe; Farrell.

Wrexham: Maxwell; Obeng; Jones; Assoumani; Marc Williams; Taylor; Sinclair; Spann; Fleming (Cieslewicz, 73); Sakho (Baynes 51); Smith (Taboui, 78). Unused substitutes: Mike Williams; Taylor.

Referee: Jake Collins (Merseyside). Attendance: 1,585 (270).