HARRIERS boss Colin Gordon lamented his side’s huge absentee list after yesterday’s 2-0 defeat to play-off chasing Tranmere Rovers.

Kidderminster were a shadow of their selves and missed Ben Whitfield and Gurjitt Singh (illness) and Arthur Gnahoua (ankle).

Substitute Evan Garnett also carried a knock and could not start, so centreback Kelvin Langmead was selected up front.

Despite a hardworking display, goals in each half for James Norwood sank lacklustre Harriers, despite an improved second half display.

He said: "We haven't had a James Norwood, a James Constable or a Matt Rhead, and we haven't had that all season.

"And therein lies the difference. We have a centre-half playing up front and we've got two young kids who are hoping to be good enough at this level - but Tranmere have got a budget that's six or seven times' ours, and you could see that.

"They've got great game intelligence, great experience and they were always a threat.

"We missed Ben a great deal today and Tranmere also had an extra day's rest and you could see that.

"These boys have put everything in but today was a bridge too far... considering we have injuries and a bug that has wiped half the team out.

"We huffed and puffed but that wasn't going to amount to much."