Saturday, November 18, 2000

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' lack of firepower enabled Burton Albion to set up another reunion between Jan Molby and his former Liverpool team-mate Nigel Clough following Saturday's goalless FA Cup first round draw at Aggborough.

The 0-0 stalemate means the sides will have to battle it out again at Eton Park a week tomorrow to decide who will entertain Carlisle in the next round on Saturday, December 9.

For Harriers' fans it was another frustrating afternoon of watching their side fail to turn ample possession into goals.

Molby said afterwards: "There's no disputing the fact that we aren't playing particularly well and not scoring goals. But we'll keep working at it and hopefully sooner rather than later the tide will turn in our favour."

For Dr Martens League Premier Division table-toppers Burton it was a well deserved draw, particularly after turning in such a rock solid defensive display.

Molby said: "They came here to set their stall out and try and take us back to their place and they've managed it.

"We had territorial advantage but we haven't made enough of it. We would like to have created more chances early on in the game rather than so late, but that's life.

"We had a lot of possession but no real penetration. They put everybody behind the ball in the second half and it worked for them."

Although disappointed that his side was unable to kill off the Brewers, he was full of praise for Clough.

"I thought Nigel played well but that's no surprise to me, he's a clever player. Although his legs have gone a little bit his game was never about fitness, it's about what a good player he is and he's showed that again.

"Our lack of a cutting edge has been a constant worry all season, but we'll keep working at it.

"We are obviously aware the squad is not good enough to take us close to a play-off place. We have had trialists in for the last couple of weeks and we'll keep looking.

"I thought it was a good game of football. It was never going to be a physical game because of the way the two teams play.

"Most of the action was around their goal but when they broke they proved difficult."

Clough said: "I'm delighted with our performance. I thought we thoroughly deserved to get a draw. The effort that's gone in by the 11 lads who were out there was superb and the way we were cheered by our supporters made it feel like a home game at times.

"I thought we defended exceptionally well and got bodies behind the ball when we had to, and in the second half on the few times we did manage to get the ball we broke quite dangerously."

Clough wasted a good chance in the 20th minute before Adie Smith and Barry Horne produced Harriers' best first half scoring chances.

Kidderminster, however, suffered a blow in the 38th minute when an accidental clash of heads with Darren Wassall ended in Dean Bennett being helped from the field with blood streaming down his face. The wound needed ten stitches.

He was replaced by Stewart Hadley, while Wassall was able to return after treatment with his head heavily bandaged.

After the break Kidderminster continued to have the bulk of possession and went close to scoring on three occasions during a determined late rally.

Ian Foster had a shot saved by 'keeper Matt Duke's feet before Andy Ducros had a drive turned away for a corner which resulted in Hadley having an effort scrambled off the line.