TORQUAY 1, HARRIERS 1

ONE more high flyer was sent down in flames on Saturday as Kidderminster Harriers' season of astonishing inconsistency draws to a close.

A home victory could have put Torquay above Huddersfield on goal difference, alongside champions Doncaster and promoted Hull in the top three.

But Harriers proved to be party poopers as skipper Wayne Hatswell swooped to clip the Gulls' promotion wings with his 73rd-minute equaliser.

Huddersfield, Hull, Lincoln, Northampton and Yeovil, all in pursuit of a place in Division Two, have come a cropper this season when faced with Jan Molby's men.

But the flip side of the coin shows defeats to fellow strugglers Carlisle, Rochdale, Macclesfield and Southend.

Raising the game against lowly sides is clearly a problem and director of football Molby has often been critical of a lack of desire and energy.

That was not a problem at Plainmoor on Saturday as Harriers rose to the challenge against a slick Torquay side cheered on by more than 5,000 fans.

Leroy Rosenior's team impressed at Aggborough with a 2-1 win earlier in the season and it is clear to see why they have defied Division Three's bigger spenders.

Sheer hard work kept Harriers hanging in there at half-time though Torquay's only goal was a sublime wonder strike from player-of-the-season and top scorer David Graham.

The visitors began to find their footballing feet more during the second period and Hatswell's equaliser meant it was shell-shocked Torquay cowering on the ropes by the final whistle.

But Harriers lacked the knockout blow, as they have done for much of the season, and they will be keen to address that in the summer.

The men in red and white made a relatively bright start at the weekend but lacked clear chances as only Simon Brown dragged a shot wide from 25 yards.

Skillful Graham, surely due a move to a higher level, demonstrated his threat with a dipping half-volley which cleared the bar on 28 minutes.

The same player fired a quick free-kick past the post soon after and then desperate Harriers defending prevented Jo Kuffour's dangerous low cross into the area doing any damage.

They were indebted to the experience of hard-working Mark Yates and Sean Parrish who both tracked back to make vital tackles.

With Harriers under the cosh somewhat, they nearly surprised Torquay when Graham Ward, one of four players recalled to the line-up, forced a good block from keeper Arjan Van Heusden after Steve Burton's cross into the area.

Burton, in only his 12th Football League start, was having a tough time with Liam Rosenior on the right wing and one great centre from the manager's son was nodded over by Graham at the far post.

Another useful assist from Rosenior was stumbled over by Kuffour, allowing right-back Lee Jenkins to clear.

Torquay's goal was a bolt from the blue three minutes before half-time with Graham letting fly to give John Danby no chance from 22 yards after the ball broke loose.

The Scottish striker curled a useful effort just off target and was then crucially denied by a superb Danby save on 63 minutes following Kuffour's precise through-ball.

But Harriers were beginning to find some more space against their ambitious opponents and Van Heusden was alert to sweep the ball off the feet of Jesper Christiansen in a one-on-one.

Harriers' introduction of Adam Murray and Scott Rickards added a creative flair and sheer speed respectively.

An awkward Murray shot from the edge of the box had Van Heusden sprawling to push the ball past his post but there was better to come on 73 minutes.

Hatswell met Burton's right-wing corner with a close-range volley to level and knock the stuffing out of tired Torquay.

But Harriers could not find the winner as Murray and Hatswell put efforts over, while Christiansen and Rickards both gave the hosts worrying moments without testing the keeper.

Still, this was a much happier afternoon for a healthy Harriers following in their final away visit of a turbulent campaign.

TORQUAY: Van Heusden; Hazell, Woods, Taylor, McGlinchey (Canoville 81); Rosenior (Fowler 67), Hockley (Gritton 81), Russell, Hill; Kuffour, Graham. Subs not used: Woozley, Bedeau.

HARRIERS: Danby 7; Jenkins 6, Hinton 6, Hatswell 7, Burton 6; Yates 7, Ward 5 (Murray 62, 6); PARRISH 8; Williams 5 (Rickards 66, 6), Christiansen 6, Brown 6 (Gadsby 89). Subs not used: Stamps, McHale.

ATTENDANCE: 5,515.

SHOTS ON: Torquay 2, Harriers 4.

SHOTS OFF: Torquay 7, Harriers 5.

CORNERS: Torquay 8, Harriers 6.

GOALS: Graham 42, Hatswell 73.

YELLOW CARDS: Torquay 1 (Fowler), Harriers 3 (Hatswell, Parrish, Jenkins).

SHUTTLE STAR MAN: Sean Parrish. A determined, energetic display from the recalled midfielder who won his tackles all over the pitch and passed simply but effectively.