STOURPORT returned to National League action with a 3-1 win at Harrogate despite starting the second half of their campaign with an under-strength side.

With four players declaring themselves unavailable, coach Steve Floyd was forced to re-shuffle with Noel Magnay and Mark Moss in a new look defence.

Harrogate had problems of their own with their top scorer and penalty corner specialist Rohan Thomas missing.

Both teams started the game in defensive mode, attacking on the break, and Stourport had the better of the early exchanges without creating clear cut chances.

It was nip and tuck throughout the first half and Simon Mauger, Dan Packwood and keeper Ben Dudley had to be alert to keep the scores level at 0-0.

But Stourport edged in front on the stroke of half time when skipper Phil Lashford stole possession and linked up with Irfan Yousaf to tee up Richard Drew for his first National League goal.

Harrogate drew level shortly after the break and enjoyed their brightest spell of the game when John Wood fired in the rebound from a tight angle after a save by Dudley.

Stourport always looked threatening on the counter-attack and an exchange between Mark Moss, Luke Edwards and Yousaf created a chance for Mark Edwards who finished clinically from 10 yards.

Stourport's penalty corner specialist Imran Yousaf then stepped up to increase the lead before Harrogate missed a penalty stroke to make the final score 3-1 to the visitors.

"It was a disciplined performance and we were worth the win," said skipper Lashford.

Stourport have no fixture this weekend and will have to wait until 2pm on Saturday February 11 when they entertain Nottingham at Stourport Sports Club.

Stourport seconds suffered a frustrating 4-1 defeat to Barford with Andy Cavendish's short-corner conversion their only highlight.

They host Leek on Saturday.

Dan Hurley was man of the match as Stourport thirds played out a goalless draw with Edgbaston.

Stourport fourths edged a tight clash with Worcester fifths 1-0 with Paul Taylor grabbing the decisive goal just before half-time.

They face a top-of-the-table battle against Worcester fourths on Saturday.

Goals from Peter Mills and Andy White counted for little as Stourport sevenths lost 4-2 at home to Old Halesonians fourths.

Kidderminster firsts deserved at least a share of the points but had to settle for nothing during a 4-2 defeat at Kings Heath.

Injuries to skipper Chris Pocknell and Chris Bagley hampered their efforts as luck seemed to desert the town side.

Despite a bright start, two mistakes led to Heath taking a two-goal lead.

Some fantastic passing led to Paul Grummitt pulling a goal back, while Issac Newman came within a whisker of equalising after an attacking surge.

But Heath struck against the run of play before half-time and beat keeper Andy Moore with a short corner drag flick to go 4-1 up midway through the second half.

Andy Pocknell restored some pride with a late penalty flick but it was little more than a consolation goal.

Kidderminster are in for a bruising encounter on Saturday at a Sikh Union Coventry side that have been docked 15 points for having five players sent off in the same match.

A consolation goal from Richard Wheeler was all Kidderminster seconds had to show for their efforts in a heavy 7-1 defeat to North Staffs.

They host Redditch on Saturday.

Kidderminster thirds' outstanding league form continued when they did the double over Stone in a 2-1 win.

A fine finish from Paul Adams and a Daniel Griffiths rocket were enough to seal all three points.

Sweeper Keith Burgess was man of the match, while Steve Elmer and Neill Jackson also played well.

The thirds host Walsall on Saturday at King Charles School.

Kidderminster fourths lost 5-0 at Old Wulfrunians despite having most of the play.

Pip Bowers was man of the match as Kidderminster continued to attack but left themselves open defensively.

The return of Will Mack from injury was the only positive Chaddesley Corbett could take from a resounding 9-1 defeat by Kingswinford in West Midlands League Division Two.

Matt Boden grabbed the consolation goal having also been on target, along with brother Tom, in the previous weekend's 4-2 reverse against Pershore.

Chaddesley face a testing trip to leaders Berkswell and Balsall Common at Warwick University at 12.30pm on Saturday.