MANAGER John Eustace admits Harriers weren't at their best against nine-man Nuneaton but praised the way his players got the win.

Kidderminster won 3-0 thanks to goals from Mani Sonupe, Joe Ironside and Liam Truslove.

Their task was made easier after Tom Elliott and skipper Ryan Beswick both saw red in the first half.

Eustace said: "The result was very important. The performance, I wasn't overly happy with. I don't think we played very well today but to get three points was great.

"The ref sending two of their lads off, which I think they deserved to be sent off, helped us but even so, with the standards we set here, that first half display wasn't good enough.

"They are a real solid team and went to Chorley last week and got a draw. They played Barrow on Saturday and it was very narrow. The manager has set them out really well and they're going to be very tough to beat for the rest of the season.

"I knew it was going to be a tough game but with the standards we set I want it to be better.

"But (there is) great character to the group, we didn't play well at all today but we got the three points."

Looking ahead to the Boxing Day clash at Telford United, the boss said: "It's a derby for us so it's going to be a massive game. Hopefully we can get the fans there supporting us and hopefully we can put up a good performance."

After reaching the half way point of the current campaign, Eustace reflected: "It's getting better. After a slow start we are gradually getting better.

"The squad is getting stronger, we'll have a couple of injuries back hopefully in the next couple of weeks and everyone will be fit. We'll be in decent shape going into the second half of the season."