CAPTAIN Jimmy O’Connor’s first Kidderminster Harriers goal secured a narrow 2-1 success over Stockport County in National League North.

Joel Taylor handed unbeaten Harriers a first-half lead before the hosts hit back through substitute Frank Mulhern in the second period.

But Harriers made it successive home wins when O’Connor netted 15 minutes from time.

Unchanged from Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Curzon Ashton, they took just 20 seconds to create the first opening as Ash Chambers raced through but saw his poked effort deflected away by onrushing keeper Ben Hinchliffe.

Stockport’s first chance arrived on five minutes when Matty Warburton put Jake Kirby’s low cross just wide of Brandon Hall’s near post.

The hosts carried the greater threat early on though with wing-backs Taylor and Lee Vaughan having efforts at goal.

Harriers broke the deadlock on 37 minutes after a good move through the middle.

Ed Williams broke away and played a measured pass to Taylor down the left and a slight deflection on his shot helped carry it over Hinchliffe into the far corner.

Hall made a point-blank save from Ash Palmer’s powerful shot to keep Harriers in front.

In the second half, the hosts’ Fraser Horsfall headed over before Williams dragged a shot wide.

But then a Stockport free-kick from deep was held up by Nyal Bell and Mulhern slotted under Hall just three minutes after coming on.

Harriers nearly restored their lead on 69 minutes as Declan Weeks’ free-kick from 25 yards was clawed out by Hinchliffe.

But they went ahead again on 76 minutes as O’Connor converted after going up for a corner when Chambers headed back across to his skipper.

Both Chambers and sub Kane Richards were denied by the in-form Hinchliffe as Harriers, who went up to ninth in the table, did enough in the closing stages to bag a second win of the season.

Harriers: Hall, Vaughan, Taylor (Austin 71), O’Connor, Horsfall, Johnson, Weeks, Daniels, Ironside (Richards 66), Chambers, Williams. Unused subs: Stratford, Baxendale, Digie.

Attendance: 1,756.