STRIKER Gareth Sheldon is determined to shoot down his former team tomorrow and teach them a lesson or two.

The Kidderminster Harriers summer signing was not happy with sitting on the bench during the latter stages of his three-year stint at Exeter City.

Three-goal Sheldon now intends to hold off the challenge of returning top scorer Iyseden Christie and retain his place up front alongside Taiwo Atieno.

Loan signing Atieno bagged the equaliser in Harriers' 1-1 draw with Hereford last weekend as Christie was suspended.

And boss Stuart Watkiss wants his men to produce another good display against second-placed Exeter.

Sheldon, 25, hit 13 goals in 80 Football League and Conference games at Exeter before being released by manager Alex Inglethorpe in the summer and returning to his Birmingham roots.

He said: "I wasn't happy with how the Exeter boss Alex Inglethorpe treated me.

"He didn't like the way I played so I spent most of my time in the stands. I'd like to show him what I can do."

Sheldon, mainly used as a right-winger at Exeter, had an effort disallowed for offside in the first meeting between the two sides in August when Harriers had plenty of the play but lost 1-0.

The season has since become an inconsistent affair for Watkiss' men who have lurched erratically from victory to defeat but reserved their best displays for tackling the high-fliers.

Harriers' manager is expecting a direct and physical challenge from Exeter who have won four of their seven away league games this season.

But he is confident the addition of Johnny Mullins on an initial one-month loan from Reading has given the Aggborough side an inspirational figure.

Despite his teenage years, Mullins returned to Harriers with an energetic display at right-back in the big derby draw with Hereford, replacing Wayne Evans who has left the club to concentrate on coaching.

Watkiss said: "He's given us a bit of athleticism, impetus and extra energy. No disrespect to Evo but we needed that.

"In the games we've struggled in recently, there's been no energy or tempo in our play and it's something we've got to address. We've been too pedestrian and easy to play against.

"Johnny can be the one that takes responsibility to set us off but, to be fair, every player has got to have that responsibility and be willing to put themselves into situations where they might make mistakes.

"We are playing in the Conference and mistakes will be made. If they give the effort and work ethic, I'll accept the mistakes because they are honest mistakes.

"When you see players playing at 60 or 70 per cent of their true potential in terms of effort, that's when you want to give them a clip around the earhole."

Midfield veteran Martin O'Connor should again play, despite a sore knee, with Harriers still waiting to find out if the player-coach needs a clean-up operation.