DEFENDER Craig Hinton believes the new-look Harriers team needs more time to gel together - but the signs are good.

The 23-year-old has avoided injury to become the only Division Three ever-present in the squad and he has been the most consistent as well.

Clocking up more than 3,600 minutes of action, Hinton - signed by former boss Graham Allner - has prospered under new manager Jan Molby.

Although many hoped Harriers would hit the play-offs in their first season in the Football League, Hinton admits it has been harder than expected.

The former Birmingham City professional said: "You always hear people say the Third Division is very much like the Conference.

"But we've found the players you come up against are sharper, stronger and they have more ability.

"I look back at Conference sides now and believe we are a lot better than them. I watched Hednesford play on Saturday and it wasn't nice. I'm glad we're not playing there now!"

Hinton continued: "There are a lot of new players here now and we need to get used to playing alongside each other. We can build from there.

"When we play to our strengths, we are capable of destroying teams. You can play your football in this league and we have proved it in games this season."

Sunday's 4-2 defeat to Cardiff was certainly an experience for Hinton and his fellow defenders as Cardiff made full use of their set-pieces and Andy Legg's huge throws.

Hinton, who has won nine Shuttle Star Man awards this season, added: "They do play a lot differently to us but it's helped them get to a position in the league where we would like to be."

Meanwhile, stringent Harriers match officials at Aggborough were doing their job a little too well on Sunday.

Apparently, Cardiff's new owner, millionaire Sam Hammam, was initially turned away from the Aggborough Suite for not having a ticket!