Harriers 0, Grimsby 1

HARRIERS paid the price for a lack of cutting edge as a late Grimsby goal inflicted their first home loss of the campaign.

Gary Whild's side edged an entertaining Vanarama Conference clash and created several good chances to take the lead.

Michael Gash wasted a glorious opportunity to put them ahead in the first half, James McKeown made a fine save and Chey Dunkley saw a header cleared off the line but the Mariners took the points thanks to a fine strike by substitute Rhys Oates.

Whild had made two changes from the side which had defeated Altrincham in mid week.

The manager continued his policy of rotating his strikers by drafting in Reece Styche to play with Gash, which saw Craig Reid dropped to the subs' bench.

Right back Jared Hodgkiss returned to the starting line-up after recovering from a hamstring problem.

Both teams were clearly fired up for the clash but it was the visitors who came closest to opening the scoring in the  12th minute, when Scott Brown's well-struck long range effort flew wide after taking a slight deflection.

But the hosts worked their way into the game and a Styche cross caught out the visiting defence before hitting a defender and flying just wide of Grimsby's goal.

But the searing pace of the in-form Marvin Johnson was proving to be a constant threat to the Mariners.

The fleet-footed wideman raced down the right and tested shot-stopper McKeown with a firm shot.

Left-back Kevin Nicholson nearly caught out the away keeper in the 28th minute, with an accurate free-kick but the stopper made a scrambling save at his far post.

Sixty seconds later, Grimsby could not cope with Johnson's pace and control as he raced 60 yards, beating all of Grimsby players before slamming in a firm shot.

McKeown could only parry the ball to the feet of Gash but with the goal at his mercy, the striker fired over the bar.

Styche then guided an effort wide after good build-up play by Gash and Nicholson.

The away team hit back and Hodgkiss produced a timely block to deny Jack Mackreth in the 39th minute.

The full-back then intercepted a dangerous pass before Mariners forward Ross Hannah could get in on goal.

Josh Gowling also made an important block to deny Scott Neilson.

The hosts continued to create chances in the second half.  Styche pulled a lovely ball back for Gash but it flew behind the striker, who was standing in close proximity to the goal line in the 56th minute.

Dunkley nearly broke the deadlock seconds later from a corner but his header was blocked by Shaun Pearson.

The away team were also looking for goals and threw on new addition Oates, who had joined from Barnsley.

Grimsby defender Aristote Nsiala  was denied by the woodwork in the 72nd minute when his header clipped off the bar from a Brown corner.

Substitute Oates, making his debut for Harriers' opponents, could not take advantage of a fizzing cross.

Grimsby were looking dangerous and Ross Hannah raced free but steered an effort off target.

Dunkley headed home in the 78th minute but the referee had already blown for a foul.

But Oates slammed home a firm effort from the edge of the box in the 85th minute to put Kidderminster behind.

Despite pushing hard for a goal, Grimsby held on to record only Whild's second home loss since taking over as manager, which was ironically inflicted last season by the same team.

Harriers: Lewis, Hodgkiss, Storer, Dunkley, Byrne, Johnson, Gash (Blissett, 71), Styche (Reid, 75), Grimes, Nicholson, Gowling.

Subs not used: Green, Verma, Gittings.

Grimsby: McKeown, Brown, Pearson, Magnay, Mackreth (Oates, 63), Disley, Hannah, Neilson, Clay, Daniel Parslow, Nsiala.

Subs not used: Bignot, Doig, Winfarrah, McLaighin.

Referee: Lee Swaby (Plymouth) Attendance: 2093 (373)