ASSISTANT caretaker manager Ian Clarkson is urging Kidderminster Harriers to end their season on a triumphant note after accepting that any hopes of a Nationwide League Division Three play-off spot are over.

Lincoln City's stoppage time equaliser in Saturday's disappointing 1-1 draw at Aggborough virtually put paid to Harriers bid for a top seven finish.

Clarkson, who is helping caretaker boss Ian Britton until the end of the season, said: "The play-offs are not finished mathematically, but you have to say it's incredibly unlikely. There would have to be some very, very strange results for it to be possible.

"But as a team, and for my own personal pride, I'd like the club to go out and get really good results in our last two games."

Harriers, who are five points off the play-off zone, will complete their league campaign by visiting high-riding Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday and then entertain Leyton Orient seven days later.

Experienced defender Clarkson admits that he is finding his 'out-of-the-blue' role as assistant caretaker manager stressful, but is enjoying the responsibility.

The former Birmingham City skipper, who has also played for Stoke City and Northampton Town, recalls the day he found himself as Britton's assistant.

He said: "I turned up on the Friday just expecting a normal day's training. Then obviously Jan (Molby) and Gary (Barnett) left and Britt took over and he asked me if I wanted to be assistant to him for the rest of the season.

"It is actually very stressful. Saturday was the lowest I have felt after a game for a long time. Obviously as a player you are disappointed but when you are assistant manager you feel more responsible if that's possible.

"We should have been home and dry

at a canter. To concede a late goal like we did from set-piece was really galling."

Looking to the future Solihull-born Clarkson says: "I'd like to get myself a contract again for next season as a player.

"I've played over 40 games this season and been part of a team that's going to finish the highest in the club's history. Anything else I'd have to have a look into at the time."

Clarkson has also been impressed by the way the players have backed Britton and himself following Molby and Barnett's departure.

He said: "The response from the players has been fantastic both on the training pitch and during match days. You couldn't have asked for more.

"From a selfish point of view you'd just like to play because you turn up and everything's done for you. You just play.

"I quite enjoy the responsibility but I still see myself as a player primarily because I'm only 31. The assistant manager's job was completely out of the blue but in a way it was a nice compliment that Ian asked me."

Harriers injured skipper Mark Blake is urging his team-mates to get behind Clarkson and Britton for the last two matches.

The 31-year-old is currently battling to recover from an Achilles tendon operation and has been monitoring events at Aggborough from his Nottingham home.

He said: "We have got to stick together and give the both of them as much help as possible. We've got to be grown up because the two most senior management figures at the club have gone.

"We should continue the high standards set and not throw everything out of the window just because the gaffer's gone.

"People might think we can forget about this season but we should not. Clarkey's been in the game a long time and Britt's looked after the reserves so they are ideal to assess the players."

Blake is aiming for an October return after his surgeon said he would make a full recovery.