HARRIERS had Luke Simpson to thank for two fine saves as they were forced to settle to a 0-0 draw against National League North strugglers Gloucester at Aggborough.

Having swept so many teams aside on their own turf this season, it was an afternoon of frustration against the Tigers, who actually went closest to notching all three points in a game the hosts otherwise dominated.

After they’d twice got in behind Harriers in the second half, Simpson proved a crucial last line of defence, twice making saves from veteran striker Matt Green.

In the end, there was to be no way past Simpson’s opposite number, either, as Gloucester moved three points clear of the division’s relegation zone with their share of the spoils.

Assistant Manager Jimmy O’Connor was clearly disappointed after the game, but insisted Harriers would focus on the plus points from the day – namely that the point had moved them up to third place after AFC Fylde suffered defeat at Curzon Ashton.

It could have been so different at Aggborough, too, had Sam Austin’s third minute effort found the top corner rather than the bar courtesy of a strong save.

"In the first 15 minutes I thought we were really bright,” O’Connor would reflect, having seen Garaldo Bajrami’s first half header also go close.

“But [if] you don't get a goal at the right time, it becomes one of those games.

"So, we're disappointed on the whole, of course we are - we're playing at home, and we believe we can win every game when we're playing every game.

"We weren't quite there today, and the whole place was... slightly off, and when you have a lot of games in a short space of time, you're always going to get one where it's one game too far.

"We have to take the positives... we've still come away with a clean sheet, but we always want to pick up the three points as often as possible."

Early in the second period Harriers did venture close once again to that precious breakthrough, Bajrami’s header turned over his own bar by a Gloucester defender.

It was the visitors who almost stunned Aggborough with two chances in the space of a few minutes – Simpson sprawling to deny former Mansfield hero Green one on one first of all, then blocking bravely with his feet soon after he looked certain to finish from a low cross.

Harriers are again at home this coming Tuesday night (1st) as they meet Lemington, before welcoming Premier League giants West Ham in the FA Cup next Saturday lunchtime.