Harriers 0, Altrincham 1

HARRIERS were left to rue Craig Reid's penalty miss as Altrincham ended their FA Trophy dreams.

Kidderminster fell behind to Damian Reeves' 20th minute penalty but Reid fired a spot-kick over the bar late in the first half.

The hosts piled on the pressure and were denied by Altrincham keeper Stuart Coburn, who made a slew of saves.

With Kidderminster missing the cup-tied defensive duo of Jordan Tunnicliffe and Tyrone Williams and Josh Gowling still injured, the hosts handed a debut to Birmingham City youngster Nathaniel Kelly.

Keyon Reffell was handed a place on the bench after his international clearance came through.

It was the hosts who nearly drew first blood in the tenth minute when Kevin Nicholson's 20-yard drive was parried by Coburn.

But Altrincham were also keen to get forward and in the 13th minute, Danny Lewis had to tip Reeves' header onto the bar.

Akwasi Asante was making his first home start for Harriers and forced a diving save from Coburn after a neat turn and stinging shot in the 19th.

But the hosts fell behind less than 60 seconds later when Kelly made the error of losing Reeves and the forward had time to volley a fine effort into the bottom far corner.

Harriers pushed hard for an instant reply, with a chipped effort from Marvin Johnson just over the bar, while Jamie Grimes headed wide.

But the away team remained dangerous and Reeves wasted a chance to double their lead in the 34th, when he nodded a near post effort a fraction off target.

Harriers suffered a setback when leading scorer Johnson limped off with what appeared to be a side injury and was replace by Reffell, who had joined from Port Talbot.

The hosts then wasted a gilt-edged chance to level in the 42nd minute when Jack Byrne was tripped from behind by Gianluca Havern as he junked into the box.

Reid stepped up for his second penalty in three games but blazed it over the bar.

Harriers started the second half with a higher tempo and also took off Reid and brought on Reece Styche.

Byrne came close with a header in the 59th minute which flew over the bar.

Altrincham midfielder Simon Richman directed a 20-yard shot which was too high.

But Asante came close to levelling the scores in the 67th minute when the forward shrugged off a defender and raced into a through ball only to be denied by the legs of Coburn.

Kyle Storer then drove a low effort from the edge of the box wide.

Altrincham's keeper produced heroics to deny Harriers as they swarmed over the away side.

Coburn showed great awareness to somehow get to Assante's fierce effort through a crowded box in the 76th minute.

Reffell, who made an eye-catching debut, then stung the shot-stopper's palms after a pacey run down the right wing.

Nicholson thought he had made it 1-1 in the 87th minute but his on target free-kick prompted a diving stop from Coburn.

But Harriers could not find a way through as their hopes of a run to Wembley came to an end.

Harriers: Lewis, Hodgkiss, Storer, Kelly, Byrne, Johnson (Reffell, 37), Reid (Styche, 55), Grimes, Gittings, Nicholson, Asante.

Subs not used: Green, Digie, Obeng.

Altrincham: Coburn, Densmore, Griffin, Moult, Havern, Richman, Reeves (Gillespie, 86), Clee (Leather, 74), Marshall, Williams, Crowther (Perry, 60).

Subs not used: Parton, Swift.

Referee: Paul Rees (Somerset) Attendance: 1204 (136)