KIDDERMINSTER Harriers players must show much more "bottle" to turn their poor Division Three form around, according to boss Ian Britton.

Harriers have claimed just two points out of the last 18 in Division Three, sliding closer to the relegation places.

They have only scored three goals in the six-game run with none from the strike-force which Britton is still trying to bolster.

The Kidderminster boss is backing his players' ability but questioning their desire ahead of Saturday's important encounter with defence kings Lincoln City at Aggborough.

Lincoln's record of conceding just four goals in eight fixtures will hardly inspire confidence in goal-shy Harriers who lost 2-0 at home to Scunthorpe on Tuesday.

But Britton shrugged off talk of formation changes to insist: "Unless the players show a lot more bottle, commitment and desire, it's going to be a long, hard season.

"It's alright saying it's a talented team with lots of ability but you cannot play football unless you have enough of the other side of the game."

It has been a controversial week at Harriers, starting with the end of the road for skipper Sean Flynn after a three-game spell on the bench.

Flynn will not play again for the club but remains on contract until he can secure a move elsewhere.

He needs first-team football at the age of 35 and is interesting several non-league sides.

Britton would only say: "Sean joined us last year and did a fantastic job for us.

"However, things haven't really panned out for him as he would have hoped this season and it was felt, by both parties, it would be better if he moved on to pastures new to continue playing."

Defender Adam Willis is the new captain but Harriers went on to be beaten by Scunthorpe on Tuesday following the 1-1 weekend draw at Macclesfield.

A failure to change the timer on the sprinkler system resulted in a surprise shower in the midweek match.

With Harriers enjoying a good spell after half-time, the resulting delay left Britton frustrated and he was banished to the stands moments before Scunthorpe's opener.

He admitted: "It wasn't because of what I said but because I kicked the ball in the tunnel out of frustration as I knew what was coming.

"We had started to build up the pressure but then the water came on and it killed everything.

"We had our chances at the right time but didn't take them. If you take a chance that could have got the momentum going."

Britton last week signed Rochdale midfielder Rob Betts on a one-year deal but is becoming more frustrated in his bid to sign a striker.

And Wolverhampton Wanderers are refusing to release last season's 12-goal hero John Melligan on loan.

Britton added: "You need a lot of money for a decent striker and if one's scoring goals, his club are not going to let him go.

"The players here have got to start taking more responsibility."

Meanwhile, defender Lee Ayres has joined Tamworth on a month's loan and teenage midfielder Nick Heath has joined Solihull Borough on a similar basis.