Altrincham 3 Harriers 0

THE relegation trapdoor is looming closer for Kidderminster Harriers but Martin O'Connor tried to take the positives out of yesterday's 3-0 defeat at Altrincham.

While the Conference result was dreadful on paper, Harriers often looked the better team but desperately lacked the killer pass or finish.

And two terrible defensive errors, down to recalled goalkeeper John Danby, handed Altrincham a 2-0 interval lead.

Harriers fell behind their Cheshire hosts in the table and all five sides below them managed a draw.

Just one point from a possible nine over the holiday period, achieved with a 1-1 draw at home to Altrincham, has just not been good enough for caretaker-boss Martin O'Connor.

But O'Connor defended his team this time after being particularly critical of them following last Friday's 1-0 defeat to Burton.

He said: "I thought we were the better team against Altrincham. We lacked a cutting edge. Two mistakes from the goalkeeper and we were two goals down.

"We performed better. On another day, we might have got something out of the game. Unfortunately, we're in a spell now where we can't seem to get anything. Against Burton, we didn't deserve to but I thought we did from this game.

"But when you make mistakes and give goals away like we did in the first-half, it's a bitter pill to swallow.

"We conceded three poor goals in my opinion. All we can do is work on the training field and put right what we did wrong.

"We've got to take positives and there were some good performances. That's a plus point. Simon Heslop was superb. He and Terry Fleming were different class."

Harriers have made worse starts, but the crucial blow was conceding the opener on 10 minutes to Altrincham top scorer Colin Little. Danby, back in for Daniel Lewis after his error against Burton, spilled Warren Peyton's shot and Little tucked away the rebound.

Although Harriers tried to hit back, forcing a goalmouth scramble, they conceded a bad second in the 35th minute to Rod Thornley with Danby out of position and his defence nowhere to be seen.

Little capped the victory on 76 minutes, putting the game well beyond Harriers with a header from Colin Potts' corner.

Harriers' promising approach play was let down by poor decision making and control at the critical stage, while Altrincham defended solidly and competed gamely for every ball.

Substitute Simon Russell made a second-half comeback from breaking his wrist and impressed along with winger Michael Blackwood.

HARRIERS: Danby; Flynn, Jackson, Burgess, Hatswell; Sheldon (Russell 63), Fleming, Heslop, Blackwood; Thompson, Christie. Subs not used: Wilson, Graves, Penn, Hurren.

ATTENDANCE: 1,165.