MANAGER Steve Burr hopes the majority of extra fans who came out in force to watch Kidderminster Harriers’ win over Altrincham at Aggborough remain for the rest of the season.

The efforts of Kidderminster Har-riers Indepedent Supporters’ Trust (KHIST) paid off as a bumper crowd of 2,930 turned out to watch the match — the highest attendance for two seasons.

The extra supporters will have gone home pleased with the win but with no fingernails after Har-riers were given a scare by 10-man Altrincham.

Goals for Jack Byrne and Nick Wright fired the hosts into a 2-0 lead but Wes Baynes’ strike and a penalty miss by Tom Shaw gave the away side confidence, despite Carl Piergianni’s dismissal.

In the second-half, Harriers held on as Greg Young, Robbie Williams and Nick Clee all wasted opportunities.

Burr said: “We want all those fans back, we want them all back for the next home game because the atmosphere was fantastic.

“They helped us today, towards the back end of the second-half the fans got right behind us.

“But what a fantastic atmosphere.

“I don’t want to say anything against the fans who have supported us all season because they’ve been fantastic, but when you see the stands full the lads appreciate that.”

The Kidderminster manager ad-mitted that his players were delighted they able to make their extra player tell.

“We’re happy with the three points because that’s the main thing,” commented Burr.

“You’ve got to give some credit to Altrincham because they gave it a go, but for the first time this season we have been able to use the extra man to our advantage.

“Saying that, we created some good chances in both halfs but they kept coming at us and pushed us all the way.”

Byrne, who was presented with his England ‘C’ cap after his debut against Belgium before the game, was in the right place at the right time to score from close range in the 24th minute after Chris Mc-Phee’s shot had cannoned off the post.

Wright doubled Harriers’ lead in the second-half, chesting the ball down before cutting in from the left and drilling a fine low effort be-tween Craig Dootson and the bottom post.

Altrincham hit back in the 43rd minute, with Baynes’ low effort from edge of the box taking a de-flection as it beat keeper Danny Lewis.

Harriers: Lewis; Vaughan; Williams; Albrighton; Briscoe; Briggs; Shaw (Blair, 63); Byrne; Wright (Matt 85); Canham (Gittings, 73); McPhee. Subs (not used): Stevens; Sharpe.