INJURY-hit Kidderminster Harriers are stuck on their worst run since wins escaped them throughout last September.

Tuesday's 1-0 home defeat to Macclesfield Town means they are without a victory in four games and the play-off dream is fading.

Most clubs in the Third Division would struggle without their three key midfielders and that is exactly what is happening at Aggborough.

Harriers should have been at least two goals ahead within the first 30 minutes but when important midfield man number three, Richie Appleby, went off, it was downhill fast from there.

Appleby's replacement Daire Doyle had a tall order to fill his boots -- he had previously made just one substitute appearance against Preston in August after becoming something of a forgotten man in the squad.

With Danny Williams and long-term absentee Mark Blake already out of the Harriers engine room, they could well be crying out for some fresh blood on loan.

As well as the rarely tried Doyle, Adie Smith was given an unfamiliar midfield holding role and Dean Bennett dropped back from a more attacking position.

It just did not work for Harriers who struggled when the visitors pushed enough men forward to attack and then failed to break down the opposition as they sat back.

After missing too many chances at Swansea, they were again left cursing their finishing on Tuesday night.

Keeper Steve Wilson also did well though, saving from Appleby on just 51 seconds after the midfielder had swapped passes with Ian Foster and burst into the box.

Macclesfield's David Smith cleared off the line after a scramble from the ensuing corner before Wilson held a dangerous low drive from Adie Smith on five minutes.

There was a clear sight of goal for Foster moments later but he dragged his angled shot wide of the post after Colin Larkin's assist.

Forward Drewe Broughton was then unfortunate as he battled with defender Steve Macauley to get a close-range touch on Scott Stamps' cross only to see the ball clip the bar on its way out for a goal-kick.

Stamps tested Wilson with a 21st minute free-kick before Macclesfield revamped their system with forward Lee Glover replacing wing-back Karl Munroe.

Still Harriers attacked with Bennett and Craig Hinton letting fly from distance but Appleby's withdrawal on 34 minutes due to more hamstring trouble was a major blow.

The home side were not the same without him but should have been ahead by half-time after a bad miss three minutes later.

Wilson saved instinctively from his own defender Darren Tinson after Foster's cross and the ball bounced up nicely for Bennett whose left-volley whizzed off target when it should have hit the back of the net.

On 52 minutes, Harriers had their last moment of potential cheer when Bennett broke onto a Doyle pass and centred for Foster whose shot was well blocked by Tinson.

Macclesfield's first clear chance brought the ultimate punishment on the hour as Glover held up Danny Adams' free-kick for Chris Byrne to rifle home lethally from 12 yards.

Harriers' heads dropped and they could have fallen further behind with Danny Whitaker hitting the post and David Smith's deflected drive being well saved by Stuart Brock.

The visitors then sat back and watched as Harriers' slick passing deserted them completely.

It was a depressing end for a team that had also lost Abdou Sall and Bo Henriksen through injury, depleting their squad even further.

HARRIERS: Brock 6; Clarkson 6, Ayres 5 (Joy 79), Hinton 6, STAMPS 7; Appleby 7 (Doyle 34, 5), A Smith 5, Bennett 6; Larkin 5 (Lewis 79), Broughton 6, Foster 6. Subs not used: Danby, Davies.

MACCLESFIELD: Wilson; Munroe (Glover 26), Tinson, Macauley, Ridler, Adams; Whitaker, D Smith, Byrne (Priest 78); Tipton (Lightbourne 72), Lambert. Subs not used: Martin, Abbey.

ATTENDANCE: 2,256.

SHOTS ON: Harriers 8 Macclesfield 4.

SHOTS OFF: Harriers 7 Macclesfield 5.

CORNERS: Harriers 6 Macclesfield 8.

BOOKINGS: Harriers 1 (Larkin), Macclesfield 0.

SHUTTLE STAR MAN: Scott Stamps. In a game where no-one particularly stood out, the left-back was his usual reliable self and always tried to get forward to inspire his team-mates.