Kidderminster Harriers crash to 3-2 defeat at Dover in Vanarama National League

Ricky Miller’s shot inside the first 10 minutes saw Harriers’ Dean Snedker make the first save as he comfortably held the striker’s effort.

The visitors tried to test the home goalkeeper Mitch Walker but a tame effort from Campbell and a drive over the bar from Joe Clarke never really registered.

Reece Styche also failed to connect with an Adam Dawson cross.

The first goal of the night came from Dover and it arrived with their first corner of the night, a wicked delivery that former Harrier turned Dover captain Jamie Grimes leaped well to meet and nod into the net.

Harriers almost responded in ideal fashion on 44 minutes as, with real pace, Dawson beat his man and struck on the angle, forcing Walker to parry the effort behind.

It would be a miss that Harriers would rue when, seconds further on, Dover netted a second as experienced hit-man Miller turned home a dangerous Ricky Modeste cross that Kidderminster failed to clear.

Harriers began the second-half in strong spirit but lacked a real cutting edge and Dover almost added a third goal from another set-play.

A corner met by the head of Sean Raggett glanced the post and Snedker grabbed the rebound.

Manager Gary Whild’s men pulled a goal back just after the hour mark.

Standing over a free-kick from 18 yards, the tricky Dawson lined the ball up perfectly and bent it around the wall and into the net with Walker left sprawling.

The equaliser came with 19 minutes remaining and it was another superb effort.

Off the bench for his debut less than a minute previously, striker Gurjit Singh showed real composure to cut inside and steer an excellent finish into the bottom corner.

His celebrations would be short-lived, however.

Inside the final ten minutes Dover struck again as a frantic game showed few signs of settling.

A sweet header from Stefan Payne looped up and beyond Snedker’s dive and with it went Harriers hopes of salvaging a point.