Saturday, May 6, 2000

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers and Altrincham both said farewell to the Nationwide Conference after Saturday's goalless draw at Moss Lane.

While Harriers had already clinched promotion to the Third Division the deadlock meant Altrincham fell through the relegation trap-door along with Welling and Sutton United.

For Kidderminster, who finished nine points clear of second placed Rushden & Diamonds, it ended a 17-season spell in the Conference dating back to 1983.

During that time they also won the title in 1994 and were runners-up in 1997.

On Saturday, when they completed a hectic spell of four games in eight days, Harriers were again given an ovation from their hundreds of travelling fans.

Their hopes of finishing the season on a winning note, however, were dented when defender Steve Pope was sent off in the 31st minute after bringing down Keith Russell as he ran in on goal.

Altrincham were also reduced to just ten players in stoppage time when Steve Hawse was dismissed for two bookable offences.

Afterwards Kidderminster boss Jan Molby said: "I think the best thing that happened to the game was the fact that we had a man sent off because prior to that they couldn't get the ball off us.

"We started very well. The lads looked ever-so comfortable on what was a lovely playing surface.

"It evened itself out when it was ten against eleven, but I still thought we were the better team. Full credit to the boys for their fitness and attitude."

Molby, who had no complaints about Pope's sending off, added: "People like Dean Bennett never stopped running and they worked their socks off. They got their rewards. What's happened to Altrincham is unfortunate, but they haven't got relegated today. They got relegated over 42 games."

Altrincham, whose players gave Harriers a guard of honour when they ran out onto the pitch, soon found Molby's men a major threat and Bennett went close to breaking the deadlock in the 21st minute when he saw his shot hit the underside of the bar following a splendid build-up by Mike Marsh and Ian Foster.

Following Pope's dismissal, Altrincham tried to capitalise but had a lucky escape just before half-time when a curling freekick by Marsh just failed to find the target.

After the break Altrincham, watched by their biggest crowd of the season, missed a couple of chances before a header from Mick Morrell hit the post.

At the other end substitutes Steve Taylor saw his shot go agonisingly wide before Altrincham's afternoon of misery was completed by Hawse's sending off.

Kidderminster, who will replace Chester City in the Third Division next term, drew 1-1 against Altrincham at Aggborough earlier in the season.