Harriers 1, Telford 1

HARRIERS endured a frustrating draw against bottom of the table Telford.

Aman Verma had fired the home side ahead in a scrappy Vanarama Conference.

But during an evenly-balanced second half Andy Todd made it 1-1 in the 79th minute and ensue it was honours even.

Harriers were unchanged from the side which lost narrowly to Wrexham narrowly.  In contrast, Telford manager Liam Watson was without both of his top scorers, with Mike Phenix missing because of illness and Tony Gray dropped to the bench.

The away side suffered a further setback just before the kick-off, which saw Rod McDonald moved to the bench after picking up an injury in the warm-up and Charlie Barnett brought into the side.

The game struggled to find any rhythm in the opening stages with Reece Styche and Telford's Godfrey Poku needing treatment.

But Harriers' first attempt came in the 14th minute, with Michael Gash firing into the side netting from a Kevin Nicholson free-kick.

Sean Cooke had the away team's first chance but turned and hit an effort at keeper Danny Lewis.

Kyle Storer had Kidderminster's first shot on target in the 24th when keeper Jonathan Hedge saw parried the mifielder's 20-yard effort.

In the 26th minute, Lewis was forced to tip over Poku's dipping shot from the left.

But the hosts were starting to crank up the pressure and Jack Byrne linked  well with Styche in the 27th before lashing in an effort which drew a fine save from Hedge.

Winger Marvin Johnson created an opportunity in the 40th minute when he nutmegged Ryan Higgins in the 40th minute but his delivery was cut out by Neil Byrne.

But the hosts broke the deadlock on the stroke of 45 minutes.

Verma rose highest at the near post and headed home from a Nicholson free-kick.

Johnson was looking bright and dangerous in the second half and a lovely slide rule pass by Styche saw him race down the right only for defender Steve Akrigg to cut out his cross.

The Telford man then reluctantly went off with an ankle injury and was replaced in the 58th minute by Kristian Platt.

Harriers made their first change in the 61st minute, with Craig Reid on for Styche.

Whild also threw on Callum Gittings for Johnson in the 65th minute.

But Telford were starting to push for a leveller and tested the home defence's resiliencemwith set pieces.

Platt saw a goalbound header from a Cooke corner saved by the alert Lewis.

But the home side threw towering hitman Nathan Blissett into the mix, withdrawing Gash.

But Telford made it 1–1  in the 79th minute with a well hit strike.

Todd cut in from the right with power and pace and unleashed a rasping effort which Lewis could do nothing about.

Reid then tried a first time effort in a bid to restore Kidderminster's lead but his effort flew high over the bar.

Telford looked the more likely to score and Mike Grogan missed the target with a header.

Harriers piled on the pressure in final minutes and their best chance fell to Verma in time added on but he fired wide.

Harriers: Lewis, Hodgkiss, Storer, Dunkley, Byrne, Johnson (Gittings, 65), Gash (Blissett, 74), Styche Reid, 61), Verma, Nicholson, Gowling.

Subs not used: Obeng, Grimes.

Telford: Hedge, Byrne, Akrigg (Platt, 58), Grogan, Farrell, Clancy, Cooke (Gray, 93), Barnett (Deacey, 63), Poku, Todd, Higgins.  Subs not used: McDonald, Pryce.

Referee: Steve Rushton.

Attendance: 2117 (262)