IPSWICH 1 HARRIERS 0 (aet)

BRAVE Kidderminster Harriers were a whisker away from a Carling Cup first round shock after taking Division One giants Ipswich Town to extra time last night.

An excellent defensive display, featuring a clutch of great saves from in-form keeper Stuart Brock, frustrated a side who were playing in the UEFA Cup only last season.

But a killer strike from Ipswich wonderkid Dean Bowditch seconds into the extra 30 minutes meant Harriers have still not won a league cup match since their elevation to the Football League three years ago.

However, that will not worry boss Ian Britton, who will be delighted with his players' workrate and courage, while also showing plenty of ability at Portman Road.

Harriers even created the best chance of the first half when John Williams could have marked his full debut with a goal but poked the ball wide from 15 yards.

Generally the main feature of the Harriers display was gallant defending and a breathtaking show from Brock who followed up Saturday's match-winning display against Mansfield with another impressive performance.

The Harriers keeper foiled 17-year-old Bowditch, Martijn Reuser and Darren Bent with saves from the top drawer.

Williams was the lone front-runner because Saturday's two-goal hero Bo Henriksen and his strike partner Andy Bishop were missing.

Henriksen was rested due to an Achilles problem while Walsall did not want on-loan Bishop cup-tied.

The changes meant Harriers packed the midfield and succeeded in frustrating the slick passing game of Joe Royle's men.

Harriers deservedly went in level at the break and had almost snatched a shock lead.

Much-travelled Williams found himself with only the goalkeeper to beat after running onto a Sam Shilton pass but fired wide from 15 yards in the 38th minute.

At the other end Adam Willis and Craig Hinton were in commanding form and Brock was limited to only routine saves in the first 45 minutes.

But Ipswich stepped up the pressure in the second half and within four minutes of the restart Brock had to pull off a great block to deny Bent.

Harriers chances were limited but Bennett did test keeper Kelvin Davis with a 20-yarder that he had to push round a post.

Bowditch suddenly became the main threat to Harriers' hopes when he came on as a 67th minute substitute. He shot over when one-on-one with Brock and then put in Bent who fired against the bar.

But after a valiant effort in normal time, Harriers were eventually un-done seconds into the extra period.

Scott Stamps could only head clear to the edge of the box as a long ball caught out their defence, and Bowditch lobbed the ball home over the stranded Brock

IPSWICH: Davis; Makin, Diallo, Santos, Richards; Miller, Magilton (Naylor 46), Wright, Reuser; Counago (M Bent 46, Bowditch 67), D Bent. Subs not used: Price (g/k), Wilnis.

HARRIERS: BROCK 9; Coleman 7, Willis 8, Hinton 8, Stamps 7; Bennett 8, Ward 8, D Williams 8 (Smith 99, 6), Flynn 7, Shilton 7 (Parrish 64, 6); J Williams 7 (Lewis 75, 7). Subs not used: Danby (g/k), Ayres.

ATTENDANCE: 11,118.

SHOTS ON: Ipswich 14, Harriers 3.

SHOTS OFF: Ipswich 15, Harriers 5.

CORNERS: Ipswich 15, Harriers 6.

GOALS: Bowditch 91.

YELLOW CARDS: None.

SHUTTLE STAR MAN: Stuart Brock. Continued his great start to the season with another string of saves to frustrate their Division One opponents.