BOSS Ian Britton breathed a huge sigh of relief after Kidderminster Harriers moved out of the Nationwide League Division Three relegation zone with victory over basement club Carlisle United at Aggborough on Saturday.

Goals from Andy Bishop and Danny Williams proved enough to end their dismal run of nine matches without a victory.

It was also their first ever League triumph over the Cumbrians at the seventh attempt.

But, more importantly for Britton, it helped ease the pressure which had been building up on him during a demoralising run which had supporters calling for his head.

The key to their success was the return of inspirational midfielder John Melligan on loan from Wolves.

He had a similar spell at Aggborough last season when he became a favourite with the fans by scoring 12 goals in 31 starts.

And, although failing to find the net on Saturday, the talented Dubliner was quickly back in the groove to fully deserve being named man-of-the-match.

Britton said: "He was great. He could have had three goals himself and he created a lot of good attacks. There was a buzz when he got the ball."

After four straight defeats Harriers were desperate to claw their way out of the second from bottom relegation spot which is now occupied by Southend United, who visit Aggborough on Saturday.

And after the final whistle the relief showed on grateful Britton's face, but he had a word of warning by saying: "I think we deserved to win but we aren't going to get carried away because that's only one game and only three points.

"We now have another big important game against Southend on Saturday."

He added: "All the players chipped in, so I'm pleased with that. We stuck at it and got our just rewards.

"After the run we have had those three points are massive to us because it puts a gap between us and Carlisle."

Throughout the first half Melligan was instrumental in several Harriers attacks which nearly produced goals.

But Britton's men were fortunate in the 19th minute when Will McDonagh wasted a good chance by scooping the ball over the bar after latching on to a Richie Foran pass.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 56th minute when Melligan, Graham Ward and Williams combined for on-loan striker Bishop to score with a perfectly placed header.

The Cumbrians, however, hit back to equalise seven minutes later with a sweetly struck 25-yarder from Peter Murphy which Brock would have been disappointed not to have stopped at the near post.

Foran then missed a great headed chance for Carlisle before he was the visitors' hero by heading an 82nd minute free kick from Williams off the line.

A minute later, however, lethal Williams was bang on target with a deflected free kick which left Carlisle still searching for their first away win of the season.