HARRIERS 2, CARLISLE 1

THOUGH Kidderminster Harriers fans were warned not to expect too much too soon from John Melligan, it was astonishing the impact one man could have on Saturday.

The bubbly, livewire midfielder had only been captured on loan from Wolves the day before, following repeated attempts by boss Ian Britton.

Britton's persistence paid dividends as Melligan provided a much-needed spark in Harriers' crucial 2-1 Division Three win over basement side Carlisle.

While chairman Colin Youngjohns played this game down, the reality was anything less than a home victory over the poor Cumbrians would have spread wider panic among the club's support.

The weekend success, their first in 10 games, was not convincing but it was the points that mattered along with a vital confidence boost to lead Kidderminster into another big game with Southend.

Harriers did play better football than of late and created more chances, yet a sharper side may have capitalised on lapses in concentration at the back.

Much of their attacking impetus was down to the signing of Melligan who linked up the midfield with front men Andy Bishop and Bo Henriksen.

He was unlucky not to be on the scoresheet as the Irishman's trademark forward breaks and ability on the ball brought back memories of his 12 goals for Harriers last season.

Within seven minutes, he sent over a teasing cross from the right wing which needed to be headed behind for a corner.

Then Melligan sent Henriksen running into space but the Dane opted for a near-post finish with keeper Matt Glennon parrying and Brian Shelley doing even better to block Bishop's rebound effort.

Another great centre from Melligan on 17 minutes whizzed across the face of goal with Bishop unable to apply the all-important touch.

But Harriers were caught out at the back when Scott Stamps' slip-up let in Richie Foran whose cross was blazed over from 10 yards by Will McDonagh.

Melligan was frustrated by the visitors' brave defending with defender Lee Andrews throwing himself into a block to deny a 15-yard drive.

A back-pedalling Glennon had to tip over on 22 minutes when Melligan's ambitious 35-yarder took a deflection and looped up into the air.

Only the agility of Brock denied Carlisle after the interval when he stopped a header from his own defender Stamps.

And Harriers claimed the lead on 56 minutes with a morale-boosting goal for forward Bishop.

Henriksen's cross was worked back up the touch-line by Melligan and Graham Ward for Danny Williams to swing over a perfect cross, leaving Bishop to apply a well-directed header.

The lead lasted just seven minutes though and Brock will not have been happy to be beaten by Peter Murphy's low 30-yard strike on his near post.

Harriers still tried to pass the ball purposefully but Britton's men always seem likely to turn off at crucial moments and they did again on 78 minutes.

Murphy's free-kick picked out Carlisle top scorer Foran completely unmarked but, luckily for Harriers, the striker made a complete mess of his header and directed it wide.

With no prior first-team action this season, Melligan could have been expected to tire but on 80 minutes he burst into the box, only to be denied by brave keeping from Glennon.

It was a familiar figure Harriers relied on for their eventual winner and match-winner Williams must be gathering quite a reputation for his free-kicks.

With a Roberto Carlos-style run-up, his fierce 22-yard strike on 82 minutes deflected off the wall and was nodded away from the right-hand post by Foran.

Not to be stopped, Williams took aim again a minute later from a similar distance and this time the ball pinged into the roof of the net via an unfortunate defender.

The introduction of the rangy Matt Gadsby at the back alongside the impressive Adie Smith helped shut up shop to secure a vital three points.

HARRIERS: Brock 6; Smith 8, Willis 7, Stamps 6; Ward 6 (Bennett 65, 6), MELLIGAN 8, Betts 6, D Williams 7, Shilton 6 (Dyer 76); Henriksen 6, Bishop 6 (Gadsby 86). Subs not used: Hinton, J Williams.

CARLISLE: Glennon; Shelley, Andrews, Kelly, Byrne (Wake 87); McGill, Murphy, Billy, McDonagh; Foran, Molloy (Rundle 85). Subs not used: Farrell, Lynn, Keen. ATTENDANCE: 2,488.

SHOTS ON: Harriers 8, Carlisle 3.

SHOTS OFF: Harriers 8, Carlisle 7.

CORNERS: Harriers 7, Carlisle 3.

GOALS: Bishop 56, Murphy 63, D Williams 83.

YELLOW CARDS: Harriers 4 (Shilton, Willis, Betts, Bennett), Carlisle 1 (Kelly).

SHUTTLE STAR MAN: John Melligan. On his return to Aggborough, provided the spark from midfield that has been missing. He will only get better as his match fitness picks up at this level.