MANAGER Steve Burr has praised the efforts of new Kidderminster Harriers striker Jamille Matt.

The 21-year-old, who joined from Sutton Coldfield Town in November, marked his first start for the Aggborough team with a goal in the 3-2 defeat against Newport County.

His strike, which came after he had seen another effort ruled offside, brought Harriers level at 2-2 but they went on to lose the Blue Square Bet Premier clash.

Considering the step up in quality — Sutton Coldfield play three leagues below Harriers — Burr was impressed with the striker, who only started because Chris McPhee was late after getting the kick-off time wrong.

The Kidderminster boss said: “I thought he was absolutely fantastic. It was his first start for us and he was excellent.

“I couldn’t see it from where I was but a lot of the lads felt he was denied a goal before he actually did score as it was chalked off for offside but those decisions can go against you.

“He’s just finding his feet here. He was thrown in a little bit with Chris missing but maybe that was the best thing for him.

“I thought he handled everything well and was a real threat.

“We will keep working with him and improving him but he has every opportunity now to take care of himself at this level without any problems.”

Matt hopes to keep his place in Harriers’ home league game with Gloucestershire outfit Forest Green Rovers tomorrow (3pm).