CHELTENHAM 2, HARRIERS 1

DANNY Williams' stunning 30-yard rocket free-kick only served to demonstrate Kidderminster Harriers' inability to score goals from inside the penalty area.

Harriers struggled to create chances in a low-key derby between two below-par teams at Whaddon Road and they paid for it with a quick Cheltenham double strike late in the second half.

Ian Britton's men have now lost two Division Three games in a row and seem to be missing that creative spark from midfield.

A dour Cheltenham side were there for the taking on Monday but unfortunately Harriers were unable to raise their game above that of the opponents.

They also suffered the dismissal of centre-half Adam Willis for a professional foul two minutes from the end after the summer signing had previously looked impressive at the back alongside Craig Hinton.

Harriers' inability to fire a shot on target other than midfield linchpin Williams' 50th-minute bullet provided depressing viewing for most of the 718 visiting fans.

Even worse was the thought they might pinch a sweet victory over their rivals only for Cheltenham, inspired by the introduction of West Brom legend Bob Taylor, to suddenly haul themselves back into the contest.

Anyone arriving late in Gloucestershire will not have missed much from a largely lack-lustre first period, though Harriers would have been much the happier at half-time.

They looked solid in defence and Stuart Brock was forced into a single save, albeit an impressive one to turn away Sean Flynn's glancing header towards his own goal from a Grant McCann corner on 21 minutes.

Harriers looked unconvincing as an attacking force but were suddenly lifted by Williams' second free-kick goal of the season after Mike Duff's push on Andy Bishop.

The home side's double substitution four minutes later eventually did them the world of good with Taylor's experience up front and Martin Devaney's willingness to run with the ball on the right wing.

But Harriers initially looked comfortable without any major threat of extending their lead, although Bo Henriksen shot into the side netting after running onto Dean Bennett's pass on 57 minutes.

Bennett headed a Kenny Coleman cross over and then with 17 minutes left Sam Shilton tried to burst through onto Sean Flynn's assist only for former Worcester keeper Shane Higgs to intercept.

But Cheltenham at last began to find their feet in the last 15 minutes with Willis blocking well to deny the classy McCann.

Another effort from the midfielder was diverted on 78 minutes but it fell perfectly for Taylor who was only stopped by Brock's superb one-handed reflex save.

But then Harriers keeper, under pressure from Taylor, spilled McCann's corner a minute later and left-back Jamie Victory pounced to turn the loose ball home.

With nine minutes on the clock, the Cheltenham comeback was complete as McCann fired a 20-yard free-kick low through the wall into the corner of Brock's net following sub Adie Smith's foul on the same player.

Worse was to follow for the Worcestershire side as Willis crudely caught Devaney in full flow but was somewhat unfortunate to see red as referee Grant Hegley judged he had been the last defender.

Cheltenham had previously dropped leads against Swansea and Hull but this time a similar slip-up from Harriers gave them their first league win of the season.

CHELTENHAM: Higgs; Amankwaah, Jones, Duff, Victory; Cozic, Yates, McCann, Fyfe (Devaney 54); Odejayi (Taylor 54), Spencer (Forsyth 82). Subs not used: Book, Griffin.

HARRIERS: Brock 6; Coleman 6, Willis 7, HINTON 8, Stamps 6 (Smith 46, 5); Bennett 5, D Williams 6, Flynn 5, Shilton 5; Bishop 5, Henriksen 5. Subs not used: Gadsby, J Williams, Parrish, Ward.

ATTENDANCE: 4,179.

SHOTS ON: Cheltenham 6, Harriers 1.

SHOTS OFF: Cheltenham 7, Harriers 5.

CORNERS: Cheltenham 6, Harriers 2.

GOALS: D Williams 50, Victory 79, McCann 81

YELLOW CARDS: Cheltenham 2 (Yates, Odejayi), Harriers 2 (Flynn, Stamps).

RED CARDS: Cheltenham 0, Harriers 1 (Willis).

SHUTTLE STAR MAN: Craig Hinton. Excellent defensive display and looked assured on the ball. Is benefiting from playing alongside the more experienced Adam Willis.