Barnet 3,  Harriers 3

A SUPERB second half fight back by spirited Harriers earned them a point at Vanarama Conference leaders Barnet.

Kidderminster paid the price for a poor first half display as first half strikes by Luisma Villa, Lee Cook and John Akinde looked to have put the away side to the sword.

But manager Gary Whild made three substitutions and watched as his rejuvenated side stun Barnet.

Substitute Michael Gash pulled one back before a late double by Nathan Blissett  ensured it was honours even.

Harriers made three changes to the side which defeated Welling.

Defensive rock Josh Gowling returned to central defence after serving a one-match suspension.

Fit again Callum Gittings made his first start in midfield since August Bank Holiday Monday, while lanky forward Blissett was partnered up front with Craig Reid.

But Harriers were forced onto the back foot from the start as Bees swarmed all over them.

Keeper Danny Lewis was called into action from the start, saving a low shot from Cook and a header from Sam Togwell.

Cook also flashed a header over the bar after a jinking run.

Right back Jared Hodgkiss then headed off the line from Akinde's header in the 20th minute.

Harriers' forward line were struggling to hold onto the ball as the hosts poured forward.

But three goals in 11 minutes stunned them, with the first two from set pieces.

Jack Byrne's challenge on Andy Yiadom a direct free kick which Villa curled into the top right corner in the 32nd minute.

Barnett made it 2-0 in the 38th after a foul by Chey Dunkley on Sam Hoskins and Cook's wickedly swerving indirect  free-kick snuck in at the far post.

Harriers rallied and finally started to test Barnet's back line.

Marvin Johnson saw an effort blocked and from a Kevin Nicholson corner, Reid headed wide.

But a mix-up between Lewis and Gowling allowed Akinde to get between the duo, latching onto a hopeful long ball and stroke the ball home.

Harriers boss Whild made two changes at the start of the second half.

Jamie Grimes replaced Gowling, who picked up a shoulder injury before the break, and threw on Gash for the ineffective Reid.

The change had an immediate effect as Kidderminster played with more purpose and direction.

Akinde came close for the hosts when he flashed a right-footed shot wide in the 48th.

That was the big striker's final involvement as he was replaced by Alfie Pavey in the 56th minute.

But Gash pulled back a lifeline for the away side in the 58th minute, volleying home from a Gittings cross.

Youngster Ahmed Obeng was thrown into the fray as the away team's final substitute by Whild on the hour mark, when he came on for Johnson.

The rookie came close to adding a second in the 75th minute when he got the better of Bondz N'Gala down the right and lifted the ball over keeper Graham Stack but found the side netting.

But two goals in three minutes from Blissett pulled Kidderminster level.

First, good persistence by Obeng forced a corner and from Nicholson's delivery, the centre forward powered a header into the back of the net in the 79th minute.

Blissett then slid onto pass from Gash and won another corner and in a carbon copy of his first strike, the towering forward made it 3-3 in the 82nd.

Gittings then saw a header tipped over by Stack as the match reached a thrilling conclusion.

Bees substitute Keanu Marsh-Brown then flashed an effort wide after a swift counter-attack.

But Harriers made sure of a superb point which sent the 134 travelling fans home very happy.

Harriers: Lewis, Hodgkiss, Storer, Dunkley, Byrne, Johnson (Obeng, 60), Reid (Gash, 46), Blissett, Gittings, Nicholson, Gowling (Grimes, 46).

Subs not used: Styche, O'Keefe.

Barnet: Stack, Yiadom, Johnson, N'Gala, Stephens, Weston, Akinde (Pavey, 57), Cook, Togwell (Saville, 84), Villa (Marsh-Brown, 63), Hoskins.

Subs not used: Vilhete, Gambin.

Referee: Adam Bromley.

Attendance: 1689 (134)