BRISTOL ROVERS 1, HARRIERS 0

A FAILURE to fire a single shot on target at Bristol Rovers told the story of Kidderminster Harriers' third Division Three defeat of the season.

Harriers seemed to be guilty of relying on a defensive operation to snatch a result at The Memorial Stadium.

When the expected happened and they conceded a goal 20 minutes from time, Harriers looked clueless as an attacking force, even with a three-man front-line.

As well as summer signing Adam Willis and co did at the back, Harriers have never been experts at shutting up shop.

But while the defence continues to be improved from last season, their inability to score goals from open play is really starting to ring alarm bells.

Harriers started brightly on Saturday with new loan signing Lloyd Dyer making several exciting runs down the left flank.

But, with Bo Henriksen looking lonely on his own in attack and Dyer surrounded by Rovers players whenever he received the ball, a 0-0 draw seemed their best hope.

Junior Agogo, and later Rovers' substitute goal hero Lee Hodges, provided rare moments of inspiration in a dour encounter.

Forward Agogo, a cash signing in the summer for Rovers, fired an awkward swerving drive on 13 minutes which keeper Stuart Brock appeared fortunate to deflect onto the bar and over.

There was an anxious moment for the home side when Danny Williams' low free-kick was turned wide by Henriksen, though the midfielder's other set-pieces were not up to his recent high standard.

But the best chance fell to Rovers on the stroke of half-time when Agogo's flick-on was blasted over from 15 yards by Paul Tait when he should have at least tested Brock.

Dave Savage did better on 58 minutes with a powerful header that required an alert tip-over from the in-form Harriers keeper.

Unfortunately, Matt Gadsby - who otherwise gave an encouraging midfield display in his first start - was not so aware five minutes later.

The former Walsall man was picked out unmarked in front of goal by Graham Ward's right-wing corner only to glance a poor header wide.

Gadsby had won the flag-kick with a looping deflected shot that was heading wide but keeper Kevin Miller seemed keen for action and helped the ball on its way.

Hodges appeared as a 64th-minute sub for Kevin Street and presumably fitness rather than quality was stopping him from starting.

After only six minutes on the pitch, a stray cross caught Harriers dozing and was pushed back to Hodges from the left by Tait.

The wideman, surely well known to defences, was almost invited to curl in a shot from just inside the box and that was exactly what he did past a helpless Brock.

Having already introduced John Williams, Harriers, backed by 222 visiting fans, threw on Andy Bishop and Sean Flynn to little effect apart from the odd goal-mouth scramble.

Although they tried hard to pass the ball around on the grass rather than reverting to long-ball panic, Harriers were devoid of cutting edge.

It can only be hoped the return of loan midfielder Adam Murray, ill on Saturday, can put that right at Macclesfield this weekend.

ROVERS: Miller; Boxall, Edwards, Barrett, Anderson; Savage, Quinn, Hyde, Street (Hodges 64); Agogo (Willock 86), Tait. Subs not used: Austin, Bryant, Parker.

HARRIERS: Brock 7; Coleman 6 (Bishop 76), WILLIS 8, Hinton 7, Stamps 6; Bennett 5, Ward 5 (J Williams 66, 5), D Williams 6, Gadsby 6 (Flynn 76), Dyer 5; Henriksen 5. Subs not used: Shilton, Parrish.

ATTENDANCE: 6,791.

SHOTS ON: Rovers 6, Harriers 0.

SHOTS OFF: Rovers 7, Harriers 11.

CORNERS: Rovers 8, Harriers 5.

GOALS: Hodges 70.

YELLOW CARDS: Rovers 2 (Tait, Quinn), Harriers 2 (Willis, D Williams).

SHUTTLE STAR MAN: Adam Willis. Had to be a defender on this team display and Willis was once again pivotal at the back. Organises well and rarely puts a foot wrong. Has made a big difference.