Saturday, September 15, 2001

JAN Molby admitted to being frustrated by Kidderminster Harriers' struggle for goals after Saturday's 0-0 Nationwide League Division Three draw against Plymouth Argyle at Aggborough.

Harriers have now hit the net only four times in seven league outings and not even the inclusion of on-loan striker Colin Larkin managed to change their luck.

The 19-year-old from Wolverhampton Wanderers suffered a dead leg during training on Friday and, after receiving another knock on Saturday, limped off at half time to be replaced by Drewe Broughton.

Larkin's injury was a disappointing blow for Harriers who, despite their shortage of goals, remain unbeaten in the league at home this season.

The deadlock also enabled the Pilgrims to maintain their unbeaten away league record, although they were indebted to keeper Romain Larrieu for making a handful of important saves during the first half when Harriers had virtually all the possession.

Molby said: "I thought we deserved three points. The first 45 minutes was complete one-way traffic. They had one free kick and one corner in the first half and that was it. The rest was us.

"Their keeper was good. When he had to be there he made a lot of good saves and he held everything right throughout the match. We had a lot of shots, so he's done well.

"We had a lot of movement but there's obviously still the final pieces missing -- and that's goals. But there were a lot of good things from our play. We have hardly been troubled defensively and we have pushed a very good team back for most of the match, which is pleasing.

"We probably had more long range efforts than we have had in any game since we have been in the Football League, so there's a lot of positives."

Molby admitted that the inclusion of Larkin was "touch and go" because of his training injury on Friday, but was disappointed about having to replace him at half time because of another knock during the first period.

"That's not the real Larkin, although there was certainly better movement. We looked the more likely in the first half to score. But the final piece is always the hardest one to come by. Strikers are the hardest people to find."

During the first period Harriers were constantly in possession and it was not until the 37th minute that Plymouth had their first effort on target.

Before then Mark Blake, back after a hamstring injury, had a shot on the turn go wide and Bennett saw his powerful 22 yard drive expertly pushed away by Larrieu as it whistled towards the right hand corner of the net.

Another Bennett effort was well saved by Larrieu who then thwarted Tony Bird just before half time.

After the break the Pilgrims gave Harriers defence, which was without groin injury victim Craig Hinton for the first time in a Football League match, a more testing time.

Substitute Nicky Banger twice went close within a minute around the hour mark while Paul Wotton was also not far off target.

In the closing stages Blake put an effort wide while under pressure but in the end Harriers had to be content with their second home draw on the trot.