Harriers 0, Chorley 0

KEEPER Sam Hornby produced penalty heroics to earn Harriers their first home point of the season.

The on-loan Burton stopper demonstrated his athleticism with a stunning save to deny Paul Jarvis in the second half.

Defeat would have been harsh on Harriers, who had bossed the game but lacked a cutting edge.

The game was often a bad tempered affair with the home fans frustrated by some inconsistent refereeing decisions.

For the third game in a row, manager John Eustace selected the same starting XI and the hosts made a lively start.

Harriers played at a pacey tempo but in the first half struggled to create many clear cut chances.

The away side had the first shot in the fourth minute and it took a brave block by Ash Carter to divert Dale Witham's effort.

Right back Jared Hodgkiss saw a well-hit 20-yard effort fly over the bar but was replaced in the 15th minute by Tyrone Williams after picking up an injury.

Left-back Zaine Francis-Angol was impressive in defence and attack but shots on goal were at a premium.

Chorley were also starting to disrupt the home side's passing game with some fouls, with James McQuilkin and Carter wrestled to the ground.

A frustrated Carter was booked on the half hour mark for pulling back Chorley' Jack Cottrell.

The home fans were enraged when Carter was brought down as he raced down the wing, although no Chorley player was punished.

To add to the home team's frustration, Williams was hello carded for tugging back Chorley attacker Cottrell.

McQuilkin saw a free-kick fly just over the bar at the start of the second half.

Chorley skipper Witham fired a shot from the edge of the box wide.

Elton Ngwatala came to life in the 56th minute when he beat three players in a 40-yard run before slipping the ball to Mani Dieseruvwe, who saw his shot blocked by defender Kieran Charnock.

Harriers hit the woodwork when McQuilkin's corner came through a gaggle of players and crashed off the near post.

The home side were having the run of the game and Waite glanced a header wide in the 65th minute.

Keeper Hornby produced heroics in the 72nd minute to deny Paul Jarvis from the spot with a sublime diving save after the unfortunate Keith Lowe had fouled a Chorley man in the box.

Harriers created their best scoring opportunity in the 79th minute when Williams crossed from the right and Francis-Angol placed a header weakly towards keeper Sam Ashton.

With part-time Chorley fading under relentless Harriers pressure, the hosts started to carve out chance to break the deadlock.

Mani Dieseruvwe had his head in his hands after he volleyed wide in the 83rd minute from a Sam Austin cross.

But despite late pressure, Harriers could not force a late breakthrough and had to settle for a point.

Harriers: Hornby, Hodgkiss (Williams, 15), Lowe, Tunnicliffe, Francis-Angol, Carter, McQuilkin, Ngwatala, Gnahoua (Austin, 63), Dieseruvwe, Waite (A Brown, 83).

Subs not used: J Brown, Truslove.

Chorley: Ashton, Challoner, Jarvis, Charnock, Leather, Jordan, Cottrell, Whitham, Carver, Gonzales (Walker, 57), O'Keefe (Blakeman, 90).

Subs not used: Lynch, Roscoe, Waqas.

Referee: Richard Wild Attendance: 1339 (84)