HARRIERS 2 CARDIFF 4

BY 1.45pm on Sunday, Harriers had long grown tired of Cardiff City skipper Andy Legg.

The former Birmingham City player hurled numerous gigantic throws into Tim Clarke's penalty area and his corner taking wasn't bad either.

But Jan Molby's men gave a good account of themselves against the big-spending promotion certainties.

It was an afternoon to forget though for Molby who was banished to the stand at half-time for words said to a fourth official.

He now faces the wrath of the Football Association after his dissatisfaction at referees and their assistants boiled over at Aggborough.

His annoyance was fuelled by Harriers conceding two quick goals before the interval after Drewe Broughton had given the home side the lead.

But the team can only learn from games like Sunday's after achieving a good 0-0 away draw earlier in the season against the powerful Welsh outfit.

Cardiff have spent big this season and their squad was strong enough to cope without big forwards Leo Fortune-West and Gavin Gordon.

They are ready for Division Two, while any such progression for the Harriers via the play-offs would surely be far too early.

Molby's mid-table side got off to a good start on Sunday and a furious spell of pressure in the 15th minute brought the first goal.

Dean Bennett, pushed up-front, drifted down the right wing and created chaos with a low cross.

Daire Doyle and Neil MacKenzie both had shots blocked before the ball fell for Broughton to bury into the bottom corner of the net.

The forward, who promises to be worth every penny of the £50,000 spent on him, was so eager to add to his total that he practically shoved recalled midfielder Paul Webb out of the way to try and get a shot in on 27 minutes.

And he then headed just wide after an assist from the lively Bennett who was causing the visitors no end of troubles, linking up well with right-back Ian Clarkson in particular.

However, as often happens, Harriers were given a warning when on-loan Kyle Lightbourne guided a low header too close to the alert Clarke on 39 minutes.

But Clarke was to be caught out two minutes later when Legg's awkward corner looped over him and defender Scott Young nodded the equaliser from close-in.

Cardiff's massive travelling army of around 2,000 went crazy on the stroke of half-time when Legg's fine run and cross was volleyed home elegantly by Jason Bowen.

Although Lightbourne had a header ruled out for pushing on 48 minutes, Harriers proceeded to take control in their search for a leveller.

Centre-back Mark Shail struck the bar with a towering header and Broughton put a difficult chance over with keeper Mark Walton in no man's land.

On 64 minutes, Webb burst forward to hit a 20-yard drive that Walton fumbled before clutching hold of the ball.

An effort from Parfait Medou-Otye produced a similar response from the Bluebirds' goalkeeper.

But Cardiff were home and dry when Daniel Gabbidon swept home the loose ball four minutes from time after Clarke failed to deal with Josh Low's corner.

The goal arrived only seconds after Clarke had saved well with his legs from substitute Kurt Nogan.

Broughton added a second for Harriers in the final minute after latching onto Shail's long pass and taking advantage of a mix-up between Walton and defender David Hughes.

But Cardiff top scorer Robert Earnshaw broke away from Shail almost immediately to make it 4-2.

An entertaining game for the crowd had seen Harriers slip to 14th - but they are just five points away from Cheltenham Town and a top 10 place.