Harriers 2, Hereford 1

FORTY-FIVE minutes of brilliance made sure Harriers stopped the rot but an erratic second half failed to quell the concerns over their recent form on Boxing Day.

The Carpetmen stopped their three-match losing run in the Skrill Premier thanks to two brilliant strikes by Michael Gash and Danny Jackman.

Kidderminster could have been ahead by more than two goals if not for the heroics of keeper Daniel Lloyd-Weston.

Gash added to his collection of eye-catching strikes when he curled a right footed free-kick into the back of the net in the ninth minute.

Left-back Jackman topped that in the 29th minute with a contender for goal of the season.

Jack Byrne and Gash swept the ball to the left, and the enterprising defender swapped passes with Callum Gittings twice before smashing a superb volley beyond a helpless keeper.

But once again, Kidderminster’s frailty in defence undermined them early in the second half.

As soon as Josh O’Keefe scrambled the ball over the line in the 49th minute, the Bulls took the initiative.

To their credit, Harriers held firm and survived the aerial bombardment but there were worrying moments of panic when the ball was delivered into the box.

The Bulls had been lucky not to concede a penalty on a number of different occasions, with the strongest call coming mid way through the first half when Joe Lolley was pulled back as he shaped to shoot.

“We were disappointed by the goal we conceded just after half-time but the first half performance was tremendous,” said manager Steve Burr. “It’s three points and a bit of anxiety crept in,” he added.

Harriers: Lewis 7, L Vaughan 7, Demetriou 7, Storer, Dunkley 7, Byrne 7 (Dance, 73), Gash 7, Jackman 8, Gittings 6, Lolley 7 (Fowler, 73), Morgan-Smith 6. Subs not used: Malbon, Grimes, N Vaughan.

Hereford: Lloyd-Weston, Collins, Bish, Graham, McDonald, O’Keefe, Lathrope, Artus (Brown, 72), Rankine (Walker, 72), Sharp, Evans. Subs not used: Gwynne, Edwards.

Ref: Peter Barnes (Merseyside). Attendance: 3420 (831)