Tuesday, February 4, 2003

BO Henriksen grabbed a late winner to keep Kidderminster Harriers' Nationwide League Division Three play-off hopes alive with a well-earned 1-0 victory over Bournemouth at Aggborough last night.

The Danish striker struck in the 83rd minute with a close range header following a fine cross from hard-working midfielder Dean Bennett.

It lifted Harriers into 11th spot in the table, just three points adrift of a play-off spot.

Boss Ian Britton's men, who drew 0-0 at Bournemouth earlier in the season, were boosted by encouraging displays from their new signings Fraser Digby and Dion Scott.

Experienced goalkeeper Digby pulled off an excellent save shortly after half-time when he managed to keep out a shot from James Hayter while Scott looked as solid as a rock in defence.

Britton was delighted with his side's sixth home league win of the season, saying: "I was pleased for a number of reasons, mainly because we got a clean-sheet.

"For the first 20 minutes I thought we played some good stuff. We put them under a lot of pressure and during that period their goalkeeper made two or three really good saves.

"One goal was enough to win it but I don't think they could have had any complaints if we had won by two or three.

"It was sweet not only for the three points but for the way we played. It showed we are not a boring side."

Harriers' triumph was watched by their lowest league gate of the season -- 2,157 -- which included 206 away fans.

The Aggborough faithful, however, were encouraged by the way their side started the game with the Cherries being particularly grateful to their goalkeeper Chris Tardif during the opening quarter of an hour when he denied both Andy Bishop and Bennett.

Digby's instinctive save to foil Hayter in the 49th minute gave Harriers a timely booster and after 70 minutes they had penalty appeals turned down when a Henriksen shot hit Karl Broadhurst.

Leading scorer Henriksen, however, made sure of victory when dented 10th-placed Bournemouth's play-off ambitions by notching his 12th goal of the season.

Kidderminster: Digby 7, Williams 6, Hinton 7, Smith 7, Bennett 8, Parrish 6, Shilton 6 (Ayres, 88), Henriksen 7, Flynn 7, Scott 7, Bishop 7 (Broughton, 76). Subs (not used): Brock, Foster, Melligan.

Attendance: 2,157.