Tuesday, March 2, 2004

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers moved six points clear of the Nationwide League Division Three relegation zone with a precious 2-1 win over Northampton Town at Aggborough last night.

Goals from Dean Keates and Dean Bennett either side of the break proved enough to enable grateful Harriers to climb four places up the table to 18th spot.

Former Hereford United campaigner Chris Hargreaves pulled a goal back for play-off hopefuls Northampton, but Jan Molby's battlers were good value for their victory which earned them their first league 'double' of the season.

The delighted Dane said: "I thought it was a deserved win. At times we played some excellent football.

"The most pleasing thing is that when they scored to make it 2-1, instead of allowing them to get on top we really took the game back to them. We had chance after chance in the following 10 minutes.

"We showed great spirit and pushed them back. It never looked like it was going to be 2-2. It always looked like it was going to be three, four or five for us.

"In the first half only to get one goal was disappointing. Then we got a quick one in the second half and we could have had three or four."

Harriers, who won 1-0 at Northampton earlier in the season, began wiping out the memory of last Friday's 5-0 drubbing at leaders Doncaster Rovers by going ahead in the 29th minute through Keates.

The midfielder rifled the ball past helpless 'keeper Lee Harper from 22 yards for his first goal in his fifth appearance since moving to Aggborough from Hull City.

Only a timely tackle from Ian Sampson prevented John Williams from making it 2-0 on the stroke of half time.

Two minutes into the second period, however, Harriers doubled their lead when Bennett fired in a first time volley following a pin-point cross from Ian Foster.

Hargreaves was allowed to score with a close range header following a corner in the 56th minutes to earn the Cobblers a lifeline.

Harriers, however, made sure the visitors fightback was shortlived and defender Adrian Viveash, making his debut following a loan move from Swindon Town, had a header well saved by Harper.

Bennett also had an effort hit the bar before Williams and Adam Murray were both foiled by Harper.

Harriers: Brock 6, Stamps 6, Hinton 7, Bennett 7, Williams 7, Keates 7, Murray 8, Foster 6 (Parrish, 88), Hatswell 7, Yates 7, Viveash 7. Subs (not used): Sall, Christiansen, Danby, Ward.

Attendance: 2,699.