A late goal from makeshift striker Gavin Caines handed Kidderminster Harriers a narrow victory over Crawley Town at Aggborough.

The visitors had started the game far the brighter of the two sides and should perhaps have got themselves ahead with the first effort of the game but Calum Willock’s effort wasn’t strong enough to trouble Dean Coleman.

In the 12th minute the danger was even more present as Town pressed Harriers with Barry Cogan forcing Coleman into action.

At the other end the home side nearly punished them against the run of play as Simon Rusk’s poor back-pass was pounced on by Matthew Barnes-Homer, who forced the smartest of saves from Simon Rayner at close range.

On the 20 minute mark Crawley had appeals for a penalty waved away after Willock hit the deck a little too easily.

Duane Courtney came close at the other end when his rising effort was tipped over.

With 27 minutes gone there was another half chance for the hosts as Martin Riley headed wide Darryl Knights’ corner.

Harriers got their first golden chance of the day two minutes after the half-hour.

A determined run from Lee Baker saw him play a superb ball into the box but debutant Aaron Farrell headed over.

In a half which Crawley had controlled at the start was now being dominated by the hosts and seven minutes before the break it really should have been 1-0 Harriers.

First, John Finnigan fired into the body of Rayner after he was one of three players left one-on-one with the Crawley goalkeeper - shortly after, Barnes-Homer lashed wide of the far post despite having Farrell free at his centre.

In the second-half Barnes-Homer fired across the face of goal despite having better options in front of him.

On 64 minutes he was in again only for his effort to be cleared by Glenn Wilson.

Crawley had the ball in the back of the net on 74 minutes but sub Ben Smith’s finish past Coleman was chalked off for offside. There was a talking point at the other end just after.

Smikle appeared to have been brought down in the area but the appeals were waved away.

Barnes-Homer knocked the ball down to Knights outside the area on 78 minutes as Harriers continued to create, but again the finish was lacking as the former Yeovil man hit wide.

Persistence from Riley and Farrell kept possession alive for Harriers eight minutes from time, the latter moved into space and lofted a ball into the box that was headed wide by Caines.

Boss Mark Yates pushed Caines up front for the final five minutes and his pass helped set up another good chance, Barnes-Homer playing in sub McDermott whose attempted shot should have done better but failed to trouble Rayner.

The Caines move may have looked a touch odd to a few but the decision proved a master-stroke as the deadlock was finally broken in the penultimate minute of normal time.

A loose ball caused havoc in the Town area — cue Caines, who controlled it before slotting it past Rayner to finally break Crawley’s brave resistance.

It could have been 2-0 in injury time but Knights effort went inches wide.