LINCOLN 1 HARRIERS 0

THOUGH some may disagree, Kidderminster Harriers would have been very fortunate to return from Sincil Bank with a point on Tuesday night.

Their play-off hopes took a jolt as rivals Lincoln won with a 15th-minute goal from Shayne Bradley, a former England schoolboy strike partner of Michael Owen.

Harriers faced strong, direct opponents on a poor pitch and with several key figures struggling through injury or on international duty in the case of John Melligan.

And, like Saturday's 2-2 draw with Swansea, their display at Lincoln failed to reach any great heights.

There were spurts of second-half pressure but Harriers failed to create a clear-cut chance and give keeper Alan Marriott much to worry about.

They were grateful to Craig Hinton's two goal-line clearances and the intervention of the crossbar.

But on a positive note Harriers still have eight games left and the destination of those play-off positions is as hazy as it was several months ago.

Considering their scant resources, they have done incredibly well to even be in with a shout.

Harriers started with a 4-5-1 formation on Tuesday, looking to try to frustrate and then counter-attack in a similar style to their 2-0 win at Cambridge United several weeks ago.

But the plan back-fired after just a quarter-of-an-hour when Bradley lashed home from eight yards.

Harriers failed to react to a rebound after keeper Fraser Digby parried a shot from Chris Cornelly who was allowed to run across the defence like Shrewsbury striker Luke Rodgers did recently.

Despite being under the cosh for much of the half, the visitors restricted Lincoln to few chances.

Harriers' attacks were rare though Danny Williams' intelligent chip on 27 minutes was comfortably plucked from under the bar by Marriott.

The recalled Sean Parrish then lashed over from the edge of the area after a good one-two with the head of Dion Scott.

But it was only the alertness of Hinton that denied Lincoln a second goal three minutes before the interval, clearing Ben Futcher's header off the line after Digby misjudged Paul Mayo's free-kick.

Harriers started the second period in determined fashion with Sean Flynn firing over from distance and then Andy Bishop turning well in the area only for Marriott to save well at his near post.

But the threat quickly ended and Harriers pulled off a remarkable double escape on 58 minutes.

Mayo lashed a stinging drive against the bar and Richard Butcher headed the rebound goalwards only for Hinton to save the day yet again.

Digby had to push Simon Yeo's effort around the post soon after and later showed better handling to hold Mark Bailey's useful low free-kick.

Harriers' introduction of target man Drewe Broughton did give them a lift with Lincoln hanging on to their one-goal advantage in the late stages.

Despite their pressure, Broughton had an effort comfortably saved and Lincoln cleared a menacing Parrish header from the danger zone.

To cap a disappointing night, Lee Ayres' first start since January saw him stretchered off in injury-time following a late challenge by Daniel Webb.

With neither Scott Stamps, Dean Bennett nor Bo Henriksen fit enough to start, another injury is the last thing Britton needs.

LINCOLN: Marriott; Weaver, Morgan, Futcher; Bailey, Butcher, Gain, Mayo; Pearce (P Smith 66), Bradley (Webb 75), Cornelly (Yeo 49). Subs not used: Bimson, Willis.

HARRIERS: Digby 6; A Smith 7, Ayres 7 (Stamps 90), Scott 7, HINTON 8; Foster 6 (Broughton 71), Flynn 6, Williams 7, Parrish 6, Shilton 6; Bishop 6. Subs not used: Brock, Bennett, Henriksen. ATTENDANCE: 4,092.

SHOTS ON: Lincoln 10, Harriers 3.

SHOTS OFF: Lincoln 7, Harriers 6.

CORNERS: Lincoln 5, Harriers 5.

GOALS: Bradley 15.

YELLOW CARDS: Lincoln 2 (Butcher, Webb), Harriers 1 (Parrish).

SHUTTLE STAR MAN: Craig Hinton. A steady display in defence, including two goal-line clearances to deny Lincoln. Not a natural left-back but Hinton's doing his best there.