GOALKEEPER Brandon Hall believes Harriers have shown all the character needed to push themselves back towards the top end of the National League North table.

The Reds were made to work hard for their FA Cup third qualifying round win at Newcastle Benfield last Saturday but came away with the win thanks to Joe Ironside's second half strike.

They can now look forward to a home test against National League side Chester over the weekend of October 14.

That battling cup contest in the North East followed the previous week's thrilling 5-4 success over Blyth Spartans when Harriers again did enough to come out on top.

Hall, a product of Charlton Athletic's academy, has impressed in goal during his side's mixed start to the new season but thinks it's only a matter of time before they are pushing hard at the top once more.

He said: "We have shown a lot of character, especially the last few games.

"It has been a challenging season at times as we've been working on getting people in their right positions and trying to get things how we want them but you can see we are making progress now.

"That togetherness among the squad is a strength of ours and I think you're starting to see that. The results are also starting to show that as well and I have no doubt that we'll soon be back near the top."

Hall has had to play behind a host of different centre backs already this campaign but has praised the quality now on show in the defensive ranks.

The likes of Liam Daly, Tyrone Williams, Fraser Horsfall, Kennedy Digie, James Pearson and Cieron Keane have all featured at the heart of the Kidderminster defence this term.

The arrival of experienced former Walsall defender Jimmy O'Connor this week will also offer another new face to the backline as manager John Eustace looks to hit on his preferred pairing.

Hall said: "There have been a lot of different pairings at the back but you just have to adapt to the players you have in front of you and make sure you know their game. We do have some really good defenders who are able to play our style and that helps me too."

On the Newcastle Benfield success, he added: "Any long away trip is difficult, especially when you factor in the journey. We were luck enough to go up the night before a prepare properly but those games are still difficult.

"The conditions on the day and the pitch didn't really suit our style of play either, so it's just good to get the job done.

"It was also pleasing to get a clean sheet, both for myself and the defensive unit."

Harriers' attention will again turn to the league this Saturday when they go to eighth-placed Bradford Park Avenue.

Hall said: "We'll have to show more of that character this Saturday because away games in this league are always tough. We want to make sure we bridge that gap to the teams above us and it's important we do that as soon as we can, starting on Saturday."