Harriers 2, York 1

HARRIERS booked a place in the second round of the FA Trophy with victory over York at Aggborough.

Two quick-fire first half goals from James Pearson and Mani Sonupe set them on their way, but not until they'd weathered a nervy end to the clash after former Kidderminster attacker Amari Morgan-Smith stuck late on.

Harriers made three changes as Sonupe, Pearson and Joel Taylor came in for Andre Brown, James McQuilkin and Jimmy O'Connor, with Tyrone Williams the one to slot in at centre back.

An even start to the contest saw both sides looking to get their passing game going without creating an opening.

It was the hosts that manufactured the first real opening on 20 minutes when Joe Ironside worked keeper Adam Bartlett with a far post header after Sam Austin's ball in from the right.

Mani Sonupe drilled wide from just outside the area three minutes later as the Reds started to assert themselves.

York worked their first effort at Brandon Hall when David Ferguson fired in a low effort after playing a neat one-two with Sean Newson on 33 minutes.

However, Harriers soon took control of the contest with two goals in a minute.

First Pearson converted from inside the area on 34 minutes after Ryan Croasdale's effort was blocked but fell kindly for the full back, who had continued into the box after initially starting the move with a run inside from the right flank.

Before York could catch breath Harriers had a second. Declan Weeks' fine through ball got Sonupe in behind. He was knocked off balance by the covering defender as he shot but still managed to divert the ball beyond the on rushing Bartlett.

York couldn't find an answer before the break as experienced forward Jon Parkin could only find the wall with a free kick in a dangerous position.

The second half saw York start with more purpose and they worked the first effort at goal when Hall had to gather a sharp chance at his near post from Alex Pattison.

Harriers still carried a big threat on the break as Sam Austin fired over and Sonupe drilled into the side netting.

York continued to enjoy their fair share of the ball and it took a good block from Williams on the hour mark to deny Pattison again. That came after another dipping free kick from Parkin failed to trouble Hall.

Sub James McQuilkin then forced Bartlett to tip over his bar on 68 minutes after Sonupe had robbed Jon Burn to set up another break.

Harriers were soon working hard to hunt the ball down and pressing high up the pitch in answer to York's best spell of possession.

The visitors continued to press, however, and found a way back when former Harrier Morgan-Smith, on as a second half substitute, curled in a sublime right-footed effort from the left angle of the penalty area with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Harriers were soon having some defending to do and dropped deep to cope with the threat.

Hamza Bencherif forced Hall to gather a weak header as the game moved into the final 10 minutes with York keeping the pressure on.

The visitors left themselves open to the counter attack but Sonupe couldn't make them pay with two minutes remaining when he fired straight at Bartlett after a trademark burst.

That miss was nearly punished in added time when York defender Dan Rowe rattled the post from 25 yards.

Hall then tipped over Parkin's lobbed effort in the dying seconds to ensure Kidderminster secured their spot in the next round.

Harriers: Hall, Pearson, Taylor, Croasdale (c), Horsfall, Williams, Sonupe, Weeks, Ironside, Ngwatala (Wright 85), Austin (McQuilkin 60) Unused subs: Brown, Truslove, Vaughan.

York: Bartlett, Rowe, Ferguson, Bencherif, Burn, Moke, Newton (c) (Law 42), McAllister (Connolly 65), Parkin, Gray (Morgan-Smith 58), Pattison.

Unused subs: Parslow, Simpson.

Att: 1,138 (89).