MACCLESFIELD 1, HARRIERS 1

IAN Britton was again not afraid to ring the changes to shake up his Kidderminster Harriers side but old habits die hard.

Though Harriers' defence continues to look far steadier after last season's calamities, they have been switching off during the late stages of games.

Saturday was a prime example as Colin Little's last-minute goal snatched two points away from the visitors.

Danny Williams put Harriers ahead five minutes before half-time but then debutant Robert Betts and sub Sean Flynn missed great chances in the dying minutes.

Yet keeper Stuart Brock again had to be at his best with three impressive saves, while loan winger Lloyd Dyer also cleared off the line.

Little eventually beat Brock and he just happened to be a substitute which is another scary statistic for Kidderminster.

Five of the nine goals conceded have been from subs. As well as Little, step forward Ipswich's Dean Bowditch, Bury's Gareth Seddon, Oxford's Mark Rawle and Bristol Rovers' Lee Hodges.

What this suggests is Harriers' tendency to lose concentration near the end of fixtures as proved by points dropped in games with Cheltenham and Oxford in particular.

Saturday was an improved display from Britton's men who deserved to be ahead at half-time.

But in the second period Macclesfield took over and even when Brock saved them, his anxious colleagues kept returning the ball to the home side with hopeful punts.

Clearly, a failure to win in the previous four games was playing on their minds.

There must have been a nagging doubt in everybody else's head, management, fans and journalists alike, that they would hold onto the lead.

It was a shame because Harriers patiently tried to pass the ball in the first half and gradually took control of the encounter.

The long-range shooting was not impressive from either side until the lively Dyer forced keeper Glyn Myhill into a good diving save from 20 yards on 29 minutes.

The returning Adam Murray's intelligent chip into the box was headed onto the bar by Bishop eight minutes later but the forward was ruled offside.

And Harriers again had to rely on Williams to find the net with the midfielder continuing his hot run with a third goal of the season.

The top scorer struck home left footed via Myhill's post from 22 yards following a clever Betts back-heel.

Kenny Coleman had started the move with an excellent right-wing run and his ball across the face of the area was played back by Dyer.

But the second half saw little action for Dyer except for a goal-line clearance to deny experienced midfielder David Smith from Danny Whitaker's corner on 51 minutes.

The flag-kick was brought about after Brock superbly clawed away a goal-bound Danny Adams set-piece.

Bo Henriksen drove narrowly wide for Harriers but it failed to mask Macclesfield's growing dominance.

Little sent a diving header over and then on the hour Brock produced a breath-taking tip-over to deny Martin Carruthers' firm volley from a David Flitcroft cross.

The keeper did well to cling onto an awkward long-range shot delivered by full-back George Abbey soon after.

Henriksen gave a glimpse of his class on 67 minutes, denied by Myhill from the edge of the box after a great run from the impressive Adie Smith.

Harriers switched from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2 with the introduction of Flynn for Murray on 73 minutes.

And Flynn, in what turned out to be his last game for the club, missed a great chance a minute from time when he scuffed a shot straight at Myhill from Bishop's assist.

Seconds earlier, Betts also fired into the keeper's hands from John Williams' lay-off.

Harriers paid the price in injury-time when Carruthers' flick-on caught the defence dozing for once, allowing Little to finish clinically past Brock.

MACCLESFIELD: Myhill; Abbey, Munroe, Macauley, Adams; Flitcroft, D Smith, Whitaker; Miles; Ross (Little 46), Carruthers. Subs not used: Wilson, Welch, Widdrington, Priest.

HARRIERS: Brock 8; Hinton 6, A SMITH 8, Stamps 7; Coleman 5, Murray 6 (Flynn 72), Betts 6, D Williams 6, Dyer 6 (Shilton 76); Bishop 5, Henriksen 5 (J Williams 80). Subt not used: Gadsby, Ward. ATTENDANCE: 1,988.

SHOTS ON: Macclesfield 7, Harriers 6.

SHOTS OFF: Macclesfield 8, Harriers 5.

CORNERS: Macclesfield 3, Harriers 5.

GOALS: D Williams 40, Little 90.

YELLOW CARDS: Macclesfield 1 (Ross), Harriers 1 (D Williams).

SHUTTLE STAR MAN: Adie Smith. Surprise recall for the long-serving Harrier but he made a great return, sweeping up at the back effectively with his pace and a great leap. Was caught out for late Macclesfield equaliser though.