Harriers survive Altrincham assault to secure victory

Three points means Harriers are still hot on the heels of the top five in sixth-place.

Goals for Jack Byrne and Nick Wright had given the hosts a deserved lead in front of a big crowd.

However, a penalty miss from Tom Shaw encouraged Altrincham, who had been reduced to 10 men, to take the game to the hosts in the second half.

The hosts lived on their nerves as the Cheshire side probed, with centrebacks Greg Young and Robbie Lawton going close for the visitors.

But in the end, Steve Burr's troops kept out the Altrincham barrage to make it five home wins in a row.

Debutant Sean Canham, on-loan from Hereford, almost made a memorable start to his Harriers career but had his first minute strike ruled out for offside.

The former Notts County man looked dangerous and saw a header go wide as the hosts took control.

Captain Keith Briggs almost opened the scoring in spectacular fashion, flashing an angled 15-yard volley just wide after good work by the impressive Byrne and Canham.

Top scorer Chris McPhee then came close moments later but his right-footed effort was a fraction off target.

But in-form midfield man Byrne, who was presented with his England C cap after his debut against Belgium before the game, was in the right place at the right time to score from close range in the 24th minute after McPhee's shot had cannoned off the post.

Altrincham's reply came from strapping centreback Young. The towering defender scored a memorable goal against Harriers last season and he came close with a bullet header just over the bar.

Wright doubled Harriers' lead in the second half, chesting the ball down before cutting in from the left and drilling a fine low effort between Craig Dootson and the bottom post.

Altrincham hit back in the 43rd minute, with Wes Baynes' firm low effort from edge of the box taking a slight deflection as it beat keeper Danny Lewis.

But Harriers were given a golden chance to increase the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Wright had stole into the box but was brought down by Carl Piergianni's reckless tackle, for which the Altrincham man was sent off.

Shaw's penalty was firmly struck but not far enough in the bottom corner and Dootson did well to dive to his right and claw the ball away.

Harriers continued to look the more potent going forward in the second half. Canham tested Dootston's reflexes with a firm volley early on, while Byrne drove purposefully into the box and drew a fine save from the keeper.

Harriers survived a 57th minute scare. Damian Reeves' low cross canoned off the bar into the path of Nicky Clee who from six yards out skied his shot over the bar.

Encouraged by the miss, the visitors came close moments later, with Young's goalbound header from a Baynes corner cleared off the line at the near post by Briggs.

Harriers substitute Matty Blair almost scored with his first touch only for Shaun Densmore to clear his volley before it looped over the line.

Defender Young looked the most likely to score and he saw a looping header nestle in the top of the net.

Top scorer McPhee could have finished off spirited Altrincham in the 79th minute. He rose well to meet substitute Callum Gittings' corner but directed it over the bar.

But with the clock ticking down the nerves started to affect Harriers as Altrincham pushed for a leveller, with Williams' header rattling the home side's bar.

Tempers boiled over in the fourth minute of time added on, with James Smith dismissed for pushing Harriers substitute Jamille Matt.

Despite the scares, Harriers held on for all three points and hopefully impressed slew of extra supporters who came to the game.

Fans trust KHIST's efforts to entice fans to the game saw an attendance of 2,930, which was the biggest of the season by far.

Harriers: Lewis; Vaughan; Williams; Albrighton; Briscoe; Briggs; Shaw (Blair, 63); Byrne; Wright (Matt 85); Canham (Gittings, 73); McPhee.

Unused substitutes: Stevens; Sharpe.

Altrincham: Dootson; Smith; Williams; Densmore; Lawton (Joseph, 74); Reeves (Beesley, 84); Clee; Baynes (Twiss, 74); Young; Piergianni; Wedgbury.

Unused substitutes: Twiss; Hewson; Coburn.

Referee: Richard Martin (Weston). Attendance: 2,930 (88)