HULL 6, HARRIERS 1

IAN Britton's plan to keep the lid on Hull's attack back-fired spectacularly in the end with Kidderminster Harriers' biggest Division Three defeat.

A late goal rush condemned Harriers to a thrashing and a record-equalling eighth game without a win.

The Harriers manager, who admitted beforehand he would settle for a draw at the impressive KC Stadium, will hope this was as low as it can go for his struggling side.

In a play-safe move, Britton fielded only John Williams up front and watched his five-man midfield hog possession for most of the first half.

There was no panic despite Ben Burgess' scrappy early goal for Hull and Harriers were duly rewarded mid-way through the half.

John Williams, given a rare start, coolly scored his first for the club after a mistake left him one-on-one with keeper Paul Musselwhite.

Robert Betts, Graham Ward and Danny Williams passed confidently across the stadiums lush surface and denied Hull possession.

Occasionally, Dean Bennett and eye-catching loan signing Lloyd Dyer threatened down the flanks.

But overall there was little to worry the Hull defence, although Bennett almost put Harriers ahead with a diving header just wide from Dyers cross.

Hull struck again with a key goal before the interval on 44 minutes when Scott Stamps won a header against Burgess, only for the ball to loop to Danny Allsopp who shot home from 10 yards.

It was a bad blow for Harriers who did not deserve to be behind and Hull manager Peter Taylor did concede the visitors' plan had worked - but it was not for long enough.

Britton's men continued to stick to their strategy during the second half in the hope of scoring on the break-away.

There were quick-fire corners for D Williams and Ward but no threat.

And the game was up after nearly an hour when Hull left-back Andy Dawson surprised Stuart Brock with a sensational goal hit on the half-volley from 30 yards.

Craig Hinton, booked in the first half for a wild tackle on Justin Price, cleared plenty of yards with a header and no-one expected Dawson to have a crack from that distance.

It sent confidence surging through the Hull team and completely deflated Harriers who were about to embarrass themselves in front of the biggest crowd they had played in front of this season.

Eventually, Britton had to go for broke with a more attacking formation featuring Bo Henriksen alongside J Williams.

But by this time title favourites Hull were in carnival mood, playing with pace and accuracy, while threatening to score on every attack.

A piece of magic from Burgess opened the floodgates when he took the ball on his chest with his back to goal and beat Brock with an over-head kick nine minutes from time.

Ryan France, signed from non-league Alfreton, then poked in the fifth on his debut and Stuart Green hit the sixth with an injury-time free-kick.

It was a devastating result for the Harriers, though other Division Three teams will also find Burgess and Allsopp a handful.

HULL: Musselwhite; Hinds, Whittle, Delaney, Dawson; Price (France 75), Green, Keates, Elliott (Holt 71); Allsopp (Forrester 82), Burgess. Subs not used: Fettis, Fry.

HARRIERS: Brock 6; Smith 6, Hinton 5, Willis 6, Stamps 6; Bennett 6, Ward 6, Betts 5 (Henriksen 70, 6), D Williams 6, DYER 7; J Williams 6. Subs not used: Shilton, Gadsby, Parrish, Bishop.

ATTENDANCE: 13,683.

SHOTS ON: Hull 7, Harriers 2.

SHOTS OFF: Hull 7, Harriers 6.

CORNERS: Hull 2, Harriers 6.

GOALS: Burgess 6, J Williams 21, Allsopp 44, Dawson 57, Burgess 81, France 84, Green 90.

YELLOW CARDS: Hull 0, Harriers 2 (Hinton, Stamps).

SHUTTLE STAR MAN: Lloyd Dyer. The on-loan winger was Harriers' most progressive player as he tried to escape the midfield rut.