Harriers 0, Luton 2

DEFENDER Mickey Demetriou has insisted last season’s brilliant form counts for nothing after they were shot down by bogey side Luton on Saturday.

A match between two of the sides tipped to win promotion from the Skrill Premier failed to live up to its billing in a lacklustre clash which was decided by Jake Howells’ brace of penalties.

Neither Harriers or their big spending rivals were able to find any cutting edge and alarmingly for Kidderminster boss Steve Burr, his side looked as though they lacked confidence in the final third of the pitch.

While three wins and three defeats from their first six matches of the 2013-14 season campaign has disappointed some fans who had high expectations after their tremendous end to last year, the Aggborough outfit are eight points better off compared to the same stage 12 months ago.

Left-back Demetriou admits Harriers will have to work hard to replicate last season’s stunning performances, which guided them to second place.

“We know we’ve got to play better to win games,” said the defender.

“Everyone keeps going back to how well we did last season but you can’t keep going back, it’s happened, it’s gone and we start again.

“We know we can play better, we’ve got to work hard in training and hopefully it will come to us again.”

Harriers boss Burr sprung a surprise selection by handing 20-year-old striker Joe Lolley his first Harriers and left the out of sorts Anthony Malbon on the bench.

The Redditch-based forward proved to be the host’s best players and looked like the only one capable of testing Hatters’ experienced keeper Mark Tyler.

In a soporific first half, which was edged in terms of possession by Luton, neither side created many chances but Lolley’s sweet drive from the edge of the box forced to the keeper into a fine diving save in the 38th minute.

There was little improvement in the second half and the game seemed to be staggering to a stalemate until Harriers hit the self destruct button in the 70th minute.

The ball was already rolling back to keeper Danny Lewis, when Chey Dunkley’s attempt to help it on its way back fired and left the shot-stopper stranded.

The unfortunate custodian then caught striker Paul Benson as he tried to take advantage and referee Kevin Johnson did not hesitate to point to the spot. Howells slid the ball into the bottom right corner.

Lewis was booked and he was beaten again in the 81st minute but the penalty was questionable at best.

There seemed to be little contact when Josh Gowling blocked Andre Gray but the striker went to ground more in hope than in expectation.

The ball had also gone out of play and there was surprise from both sides when the linesman half-heartedly flagged for a foul and the referee let the decision stand.

This time Howells slammed the penalty into the roof of the net to make it seven games unbeaten for Luton in Kidderminster.

Harriers’ cause wasn’t helped when they were reduced to ten men late on after Callum Gittings was carried off with an injured ankle.

He had battled on bravely despite colliding with an advertising hoarding after a tussle with Luton’s uncompromising centre back Steve McNulty.

“I thought the two penalties were penalties,” said Burr, who has not been impressed by the standard of officiating over the last few games. “We didn’t create enough chances ourselves to have won the game.

“There was a mix-up for the first penalty but it was clearly one and I thought the second spot-kick was good too.”

Harriers: Lewis 5, L Vaughan 6, Gowling 6, Dunkley 7, Demetriou 6, Storer 6 (Byrne, 72), Fowler 6, Gittings 7, Johnson 5 (Jackman, 82), LOLLEY 8 (Malbon, 72), Gash 6. Subs not used: N Vaughan, Blissett.

Luton: Tyler, Smith, McNulty, Howells, Griffiths (Martin, 90+5), Parry, Guttridge, Henry, Benson (Wall, 90+3), Gray, Lacey. Subs not used: Wall, Cullen, Justham, Martin, Whalley.

Referee: Kevin Johnson (Somerset).

Attendance: 2,866 (821)