Saturday, April 15, 2000

NEIL Midgley took Kidderminster Harriers a step nearer to their dream of Football League status by notching his table-topping side's all-important goal in Saturday's hard earned 1-0 win over Southport at Haig Avenue.

The on-loan striker from Ipswich Town pounced in the ninth minute but Kidderminster had to overcome some anxious moments before they finally sealed victory.

"It was a hard battle and I was pleased to get the goal," said Midgley who was drafted into Harriers' starting line-up in place of Stewart Hadley.

His strike enabled Kidderminster to remain three points clear of second-placed Rushden & Diamonds who have played two more matches than manager Jan Molby's promtion-chasers.

Afterwards Molby admitted his side had never been at their best against mid-table Southport who lost 5-0 when they visited Aggborough in November.

He said: "There were some anxious moments but you have to expect that.

"Right the way through the game they put us under a lot of pressure, but we came away from home and won and kept a clear sheet. You can't ask for more than that.

"I thought in the first half Southport were over-physical and I was disappointed with the referee. I thought he could have stopped it earlier than he did.

"There were so may late tackles and so many elbows flying and Southport got away with it. It wasn't their fault it was the referee who should have stopped it.

"In the second half they gave us a little bit more opportunity to play and we looked much better but we played nowhere near our maximum.

"We had to work very hard and Southport put a lot of effort in. if they put the same kind of effort in when they play Rushden on Saturday then Rushden are going to find it difficult.

"As soon as we scored they stepped up a gear and we retreated for no reason whatsoever and that was disappointing.

"It's probably a long time since we played as poorly as we did but the result was all that mattered."

Southport manager Mark Wright, a former team-mate of Molby's at Liverpool said: "If everybody was totally honest we got beaten and I don't think we deserved to.

"We at least deserved a point with the way we played. We gave them a good run for their money."

Midgley's crucial goal was the result of a fine through ball from Mike Marsh to Ian Foster whose cross into the danger zone was neatly finished off by the young Ipswich front-runner.

Southport, however, quickly set about trying to repair the damage and David McNiven had an 18th minute 'goal' disallowed for a push inside the area.

Former Kidderminster striker Ian Arnold was also only inches away from equalising with a well struck curling shot on 29 minutes.

Then, four minutes before half time, Dominic Morley was desperately unlucky with a fierce shot which crashed against the post.

After the break Harriers began to look more constructive and Foster went close before Andy Brownrigg had an effort go just wide shortly after he had replaced limping Phil King.

Southport, however, were always a treat and in stoppage time Harriers keeper Tim Clark was forced to tip over a shot from substitute Robbie Devereux.

In the end Kidderminster, who were well served by defender Adie Smith on his 100th first team appearance, held on for a vital victory which leaves them beaten only once in the last 21 league outings.