McPhee rescues point for ten-men Harriers

The Aggborough outfit had been trailing to Brett Solkhon's early strike and had been reduced when yongster Aaron Griffiths was sent off early in the second half.

But McPhee's strike made sure of a deserved share of the spoils for Steve Burr's troops, who had been hampered by some questionable refereeing decisions and garnered five bookings in total.

Burr had drafted in striker Nick Wright, while rookie left-back Aaron Griffiths was given his first start for Harriers as a replacement for the injured Mike Williams.

Harriers' opponents went into the game on a five game unbeaten run and the visitors made the worst possible start when they conceded a soft goal in the fourth minute.

Chris McPhee had headed Jean-Paul Marna's free-kick behind and from the resulting corner, midfielder Brett Solkhon was allowed to turn and fire a shot past keeper Danny Lewis.

Poppies top scorer Marna looked dangerous but he was stopped in his tracks by Griffiths as he drove into the box with a composed challenge.

Harriers had their first attempt on goal in the 12th minute. Wright had been fouled by Solkhon just outside the area but captain Keith Briggs' shot hit the wall.

Kettering keeper Kelvin Jack was called into action when he punched away a decent cross from Matty Blair.

Harriers centreback Michael Briscoe was then shown a yellow card in the 24th minute for a sliding challenge on James Dance. But the away side struggled to contained the hosts and were lucky not to find themselves trailing by even more after Kettering carved out two clear cut chances midway through the first half.

John Dempster flashed a far post header wide in the 25th minute after Marna's clever short corner routine caught them out. Sixty second later, Dance lead a counter-attack and saw a goal bound shot blocked by Lewis.

The keeper produced a fine 32nd minute save to prevent Kettering from extending their advantage, diving to his right to get a hand to Dance's firm low effort from edge of the area.

It wasn't until the 38th minute that Burr's troops created a good opening, with Lee Vaughan releasing Blair down the right. The winger delivered a cross that Lee Morris mat at the near post but headed wide.

Harriers right back Lee Vaughan was booked two minutes into the second half for a foul on Dance.

But less than a minute later, the away team were reduced to 10 men when Griffiths was shown a straight red card for a strong challenge on Marna.

Morris tried a shot from distance and his well-struck effort flew off target in the 52nd minute.

Substitute Callum Gittings searched for a leveller but his 20-yard strike was just off target.

At the back, experienced defender Mark Albrighton made several timely challenges to prevent Kettering from scoring as the game became stretched.

The former Doncaster man put off Makofo as he tried to latch into Marna's pass. Moments later, the centreback stuck out a leg to intercept a pass meant for the lively Dance.

Gittings looked the most likely to find an equaliser and after a determined run into Kettering's area, where he managed to hold off the towering Nick McKoy, he saw his shot saved by Jack. Moments later, the midfielder became the fourth Harrier to be booked for a foul on Dance.

Harriers' hopes of getting back into the game could have been killed by Mafoko in the 76th minute. The striker looked offside when he raced onto Andre Boucaud's pass but with no flag, the Kettering man fired over the bar.

With 12 minutes to go, Lewis denied McKoy when he took the midfielder's firm low effort from distance at the second attempt.

But Harriers, who had improved throughout the game, made it 1-1 in the 84th minute. Gittings made a pacey raid down the left and squared the ball to McPhee, who beat Jack with a fine rising shot.

Moments later, Harriers were incensed when the referee failed to book keeper Jack. Substitute Marc Williams had raced to the edge of the box and was fouled by the keeper, who also appeared to handle the ball outside the box. Instead, the referee booked Blair for remonstrating.

Lewis though ensured battling Harriers ensured a point in the 90th minute, rushing out to block Makofo's shot after the hitman had powered into the box.

Kettering had one more chance in the final minute of time added on when Lewis fouled Dance but Greg Taylor headed Marna's free-kick over the bar.

Harriers: Lewis; Vaughan; Briscoe; Albrighton; Griffiths; Blair; Briggs (Gittings, 60); Byrne; Wright (Shaw, 50); McPhee; Morris (Williams, 66).

Unused substitutes: Thorne; Stevens.

Kettering: Jack; Graham; Dempster; Boucaud; Marna; Taylor; Dance; Makofo; Solkhon (Kelly, 68); McKoy; Noubissie.

Unused substitutes: Davis; Roper; Furlong; Cooper.

Referee: SD Cook. Attendance: 1,611 (162).