SWANSEA 0 HARRIERS 4

CONFIDENT Kidderminster Harriers' season just got even better on a soaking Tuesday night in South Wales with their record Football League victory.

The 4-0 triumph marked a brilliant fifth away win in a row and lifted rampant Harriers to their strongest Division Three position of second place.

Even dejected Swansea City fans shrugged off their own misery to give Harriers a rousing tribute as the visitors celebrated cruising to success.

The relegation-threatened Swans, who completed the double over Kidderminster last season, were completely out-classed by Ian Britton's constantly improving team.

It was Swansea's worst home defeat since losing 6-1 to Wigan Athletic in 1991 and they could have no complaints.

After struggling for goals over the first few months, Harriers have now fired 12 in their last four games with on-loan Wolverhampton Wanderers wizard John Melligan bagging four of them.

There was a great moment of relief and joy at Swansea too when hard-working target-man Drewe Broughton finally found the net in 16 games of trying, a well-deserved close-range header.

Britton continues to keep his players' feet on the ground though as demonstrated by avoiding any repeat of the complacent defeat to Macclesfield Town on October 12.

The sparkling Melligan crafted Harriers' opener on 28 minutes after strike duo Bo Henriksen and Broughton earlier went close.

He displayed superb trickery on the right before picking out the unmarked Henriksen who sliced his shot only for wideman Shilton to pounce at the far post.

Keeper Roger Freestone saved from fellow Welshman Danny Williams as Harriers kept up the pressure and Broughton's bad luck in front of goal continued as the interval approached.

Melligan squared the ball for Harriers' non-stop forward to drag his shot wide of the post with only the large frame of Freestone to beat.

But the visitors went on to wrap the game up with a sensational three goals in a 10-minute spell early in the second period.

This was despite missing midfield anchorman Williams and Craig Hinton who had both come off injured at half-time to be replaced by Dean Bennett and Sean Parrish.

On 52 minutes, Henriksen contested an aerial battle with Andrew Mumford from Shilton's corner, forcing the red-faced Swansea man to head the ball into his own net.

Broughton ended his goal drought five minutes later, nodding home Melligan's inch-perfect right-wing cross from just two yards out.

And soon after Irishman Melligan completed the rout with a trademark dash into the box and an unstoppable finish which has made him such a threat in recent weeks.

Broughton had a late effort blocked by Freestone as Harriers played keep-ball with not even a whimper from a well-beaten Swansea.

The men from Worcestershire left the field to a standing ovation from both sets of fans and it was no more than they deserved.

It appears other Division Three clubs could at last be taking some notice of Harriers' rapid progress this season.

With only two league defeats in the campaign, Harriers take their excellent record to Torquay on Saturday for an early battle of the promotion challengers.

SWANSEA: Freestone; Jenkins, O'Leary, Smith, De-Vulgt; Mumford (Phillips 56), Reid, Howard; Thomas, Wood, Cash (Williams 56). Subs: Theobald, Murphy, Watkin.

HARRIERS: Brock 7; Coleman 8, Ayres 7, Stamps 7; Hinton 6 (Parrish 46, 7), MELLIGAN 9, Williams 7 (Bennett 46, 7), Flynn 8, Shilton 8; Broughton 7 (Foster 75), Henriksen 8. Subs: Sall, Danby.

Attendance: 3,421.

SHOTS ON: Swansea 1, Harriers 8.

SHOTS OFF: Swansea 2, Harriers 4.

CORNERS: Swansea 10, Harriers 4.

GOALS: Shilton 28, Mumford (og) 52, Broughton 57, Melligan 62.

YELLOW CARDS: None.

SHUTTLE STAR MAN: John Melligan. He left Swansea's players chasing shadows with his craft and speed before having the final say with the fourth goal. The second man-of-the-match award in a row for the on-fire Wolverhampton Wanderers loan man.