KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' outside title hopes were severely dented by a 2-0 home defeat to second-placed Harrogate Town.

John Eustace's side are 15 points off the top in fifth position after suffering their first National League North defeat at Aggborough since the opening day of the season.

Harriers conceded early in either half as Joe Leesley and Dominic Knowles struck to dish out the Reds' first league defeat in 18 games.

The hosts worked hard looking for a way back but drew a rare blank against the well-drilled visitors managed by former Kidderminster defender Simon Weaver.

Harriers had Jonathan Flatt in goal after the keeper made a late loan move from Wolverhampton Wanderers due to a thigh injury to regular number one Brandon Hall.

Centre-half Jimmy O'Connor picked up an injury in the warm-up to miss the match and the visitors broke the deadlock on 15 minutes.

Leesley fired powerfully into the top corner from just inside the area after Flatt had punched away an effort by Mark Beck.

Harriers struggled to get their usual passing game going as a physical Town side pressed high up the field.

But they went close when Declan Weeks' 32nd-minute free-kick from 20 yards rattled the bar and bounced down on the line.

Joe Ironside headed home the rebound but saw his celebration halted for offside.

It got worse for the hosts just a minute into the second half when ex-Harriers loan forward Knowles fired low past Flatt following a quick move forward.

Substitute Dan Bradley blazed over the bar on 57 minutes and again in the 71st as the Reds struggled to trouble keeper James Belshaw.

Harriers look to bounce back quickly to keep their play-off ambition firmly on track at Darlington on Saturday.

Manager Eustace said: "Obviously we're really disappointed with the result. It was a really tough game and I didn't think there was much in it.

"When we went 2-0 down just after half-time I was still really happy with the lads' efforts. We could have nicked a couple of goals but it wasn't to be so the run has ended.

"There are loads of positives to take out of it. We're still in there fighting and we'll look forward to the next game. Every match is difficult but all I want is a reaction."

Harriers: Flatt, Vaughan, Pearson, Croasdale, Horsfall, Austin, Weeks (Bradley 52), McQuilkin, Ironside (Waring 61), Ngwatala, Sonupe (Brown 61). Unused subs: Truslove, Palmer.

Attendance: 1,739.