KIDDERMINSTER Harriers continued their upturn under new boss Jimmy Shan with a 3-1 victory over Hereford FC in a National League North derby.

On-loan midfielder Ollie Shenton fired Harriers two goals ahead and the Aggborough hosts got over the line despite a late red card for defender Ryan Johnson.

A tight opening 15 minutes erupted with former Kidderminster forward Reece Styche pulling away outside the box and blazing just wide for off-form Hereford.

But the home side felt they deserved a penalty when the ball appeared to hit the arm of Danny Greenslade only for the referee to wave away the appeal.

The Bulls kept probing and defender Jordan Cullinane-Liburd had an effort deflected wide.

But Harriers took a 23rd-minute lead when the Hereford failed to clear a free-kick which eventually fell for Stoke City player Shenton to pick out the corner of the net.

Shenton gratefully fired home his second on the half-hour mark after Sam Austin’s cross beat the defence and he fired home under ex-Harriers keeper Brandon Hall.

Harriers could have been out of sight on 33 minutes after the Bulls defence were again stretched but Correy Davidson’s volley was saved by Hall.

Moments before the break Ashley Hemmings came within an inch of furthering their lead but could not quite connect with a cross.

After being booed off at the break by the away fans it was more of the same after the break with centre-half Rhys Williams blazing over from close range for Kidderminster.

The introduction of Alex Bray for Hereford saw the visitors respond and he was quickly involved in pulling a goal back on 59 minutes.

Winger Bray was involved in releasing Nicholson whose cross was met by Styche.

But any hope of an equaliser ended after 69 minutes with a third Harriers goal.

Davidson got to the byline and found the head of Hemmings to restore their two-goal advantage.

The Bulls were handed a glimmer of hope with six minutes left as Johnson got a second yellow card for a foul on Kieran Thomas.

But Russell Slade's side remain without a league win since October 1 and Harriers went above them in the table to 12th with the Bulls down to 16th.

Harriers: Mannion, Austin, Davidson (Peniket 80), R Williams, Moyo, Johnson, Prosser, Butterfield, Freemantle (E Williams 67), Hemmings, Shenton (Higginson 87). Subs not used: Palmer, Scott.

Hereford: Hall, Hodgkiss, Greenslade, Dawson, Cullinane-Liburd, Bodenham, Vincenti (Sodeinde 75), Allen (Bray 54), Styche (Mooney 88), Thomas, Nicholson. Subs not used: Pope, O’Sullivan.

Attendance: 2,117 (517 away).