Jamille Matt scored a hat-trick of headers as Kidderminster Harriers knocked Newport off top spot in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

Matt headed Harriers in front, only for Michael Smith's close-range finish and Lee Evans's shot into the top corner to make it 2-1 to Newport at half-time.

Matt then looped a 58th-minute leveller before heading in again from close range on 78 minutes to seal victory.

Harriers' fifth straight win puts them four points off the play-off places.

It also stretches the Harriers' run since the end of August to just one defeat in 17 league games.

Steve Burr's men, bottom at the end of August after losing their first five matches, are now up to seventh - just eight points now off top spot, while Newport have slipped to third.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Harriers manager Steve Burr told BBC Hereford & Worcester:

"It's the highest level Jamille Matt's played at and for him to get a hat-trick is fantastic. I love seeing that big smile on his face when he scores.

"It was a great win as Newport are a good side and, as you'd expect from a side at the top of the table, they caused us problems.

"But the lads coped with the defensive side well and, as the game wore on, we showed power and strength and deserved to win."

Newport boss Justin Edinburgh told BBC Radio Wales:

"We should have taken a point at least, we've let ourselves down immensely with the three goals we've conceded.

"It's hard to take because I thought that for long periods of that game we were outstanding.

"But it's no good putting in a performance like that if you don't get the result."

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (6)

Kidderminster Harriers

  • 01 Lewis
  • 02 L Vaughan Booked
  • 03 Demetriou
  • 22 Dunkly
  • 30 Gowling
  • 04 Storer Booked
  • 14 Pilkington (Vincent - 85' )
  • 18 Gittings
  • 21 Briggs
  • 10 Malbon (Rowe - 74' )
  • 20 Matt (Blissett - 88' )

Substitutes

  • 23 N Vaughan
  • 06 Williams
  • 08 Vincent
  • 09 Rowe
  • 13 Blissett

Newport County

  • 01 Julian
  • 05 James
  • 06 Yakubu
  • 02 Pipe
  • 04 Porter (Minshull - 89' )
  • 13 Sandell Booked
  • 16 Evans
  • 17 Flynn (Swallow - 84' )
  • 23 Jolley
  • 07 O'Connor
  • 20 Smith (Washington - 83' )

Substitutes

  • 40 Pidgeley
  • 21 Anthony
  • 08 Minshull
  • 12 Swallow
  • 25 Washington
Ref: Kinseley
Att: 1,951

Match Stats

Shots

19 10

On target

7 5

Corners

9 10

Fouls

10 5

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:26 Full time

Full Time The referee blows his whistle to end the game.

90:00 +3:42

Nathan Blissett challenges Andy Sandell unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Andy Sandell.

90:00 +2:13

Free kick awarded for a foul by Kyle Storer on Lee Evans. Indirect free kick taken by Andy Sandell.

90:00 +0:12

David Pipe delivers the ball. Headed effort from deep inside the area by Lee Minshull misses to the right of the goal.

90:00 +0:12

The ball is sent over by David Pipe, Headed effort on goal by Lee Minshull from inside the penalty box misses to the right of the target.

88:21 Substitution

Substitution Lee Minshull on for Max Porter.

88:00 Substitution

Substitution (Kidderminster) makes a substitution, with Nathan Blissett coming on for Jamille Matt.

87:48

Shot from just outside the penalty area by Keith Briggs misses to the left of the target.

85:57

Max Porter takes a shot. Daniel Lewis makes a save.

81:50 Substitution

Substitution (Newport County) makes a substitution, with Conor Washington coming on for Michael Smith.

81:50

Ryan Rowe takes a shot. Kyle Storer takes the outswinging corner, Headed effort from deep inside the area by Cheyenne Dunkley misses to the right of the target.

84:13 Substitution

Substitution James Vincent on for Danny Pilkington.

83:55 Substitution

Substitution Ben Swallow replaces Michael Flynn.

81:50 Substitution

Substitution (Newport County) makes a substitution, with Conor Washington coming on for Michael Smith.

81:50

Ryan Rowe takes a shot. Corner taken right-footed by Kyle Storer, Headed effort from inside the area by Cheyenne Dunkley misses to the right of the target.

81:35

Keith Briggs crosses the ball, clearance made by Ismail Yakubu.

80:46

Corner taken right-footed by Kyle Storer from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Michael Flynn. Kyle Storer delivers the ball, Tony James manages to make a clearance.

79:26

Free kick awarded for a foul by Callum Gittings on Christian Jolley. Andy Sandell restarts play with the free kick.

78:50

The ball is sent over by Christian Jolley, save by Lee Vaughan.

77:33

Assist by Lee Vaughan.

77:33

Lee Vaughan crosses the ball,

77:33

Lee Vaughan provided the assist for the goal.

77:33 Goal scored

Goal - Jamille Matt - K'minster 3 - 2 Newport Jamille Matt finds the back of the net with a headed goal from inside the area. Kidderminster 3-2 Newport County.

77:33

The ball is delivered by Lee Vaughan,

75:03

Danny Pilkington takes a shot. Corner taken by Kyle Storer from the left by-line to the near post. Effort on goal by Ryan Rowe from just inside the penalty box goes harmlessly over the target.

73:49 Substitution

Substitution (Kidderminster) makes a substitution, with Ryan Rowe coming on for Anthony Malbon.

73:21 Booking

Booking Andy Sandell goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.

73:05 Booking

Booking The referee shows Lee Vaughan a yellow card.

72:40

Andy Sandell produces a cross, clearance by Lee Vaughan. Lee Evans takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post.

72:16

The ball is crossed by Aaron O'Connor, clearance made by Danny Pilkington.

71:04

Outswinging corner taken by Kyle Storer. Centre by Lee Vaughan, Ismail Yakubu manages to make a clearance.

70:45

Lee Evans gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kyle Storer. Keith Briggs restarts play with the free kick.

68:09

Jamille Matt takes a shot. Clearance made by Ismail Yakubu. Corner taken right-footed by Kyle Storer to the near post, Jamille Matt takes a shot. Clearance by Tony James.

67:09

Centre by Andy Sandell, blocked by Lee Vaughan. Corner taken right-footed by Lee Evans, Mickey Demetriou makes a clearance.

66:22

The assistant referee flags for offside against Jamille Matt. Alan Julian takes the direct free kick.

64:10

Unfair challenge on Keith Briggs by Lee Evans results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Daniel Lewis.

63:29

Direct free kick taken by Alan Julian.

63:29 Booking

Booking Kyle Storer receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.

63:22

Unfair challenge on Lee Evans by Kyle Storer results in a free kick.

62:24

The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Alan Julian.

61:24

Mickey Demetriou challenges Michael Smith unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by David Pipe.

60:24

Effort on goal by Lee Vaughan from just outside the area goes harmlessly over the target.

57:25

Assist by Mickey Demetriou.

57:25 Goal scored

Goal - Jamille Matt - K'minster 2 - 2 Newport Jamille Matt finds the back of the net with a headed goal from deep inside the penalty area. Kidderminster 2-2 Newport County.

57:08

Jamille Matt takes a shot. Save by Alan Julian.

55:33

The ball is crossed by Christian Jolley.

54:27

Lee Vaughan crosses the ball, Ismail Yakubu makes a clearance. Effort on goal by Kyle Storer from outside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.

53:28

Danny Pilkington sends in a cross.

51:23

Michael Flynn takes a shot. Daniel Lewis makes a save.

50:45

Shot by Michael Smith from just outside the area goes over the net.

47:41

Kyle Storer takes a shot. Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Kyle Storer. The ball is crossed by Danny Pilkington, Shot from inside the area by Jamille Matt clears the bar. Kyle Storer takes a outswinging corner to the near post, Michael Flynn manages to make a clearance. The ball is crossed by Danny Pilkington, save by Alan Julian.

46:36

Jamille Matt takes a shot. Ismail Yakubu manages to make a clearance. Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Kyle Storer, Andy Sandell makes a clearance.

45:35

The ball is swung over by Mickey Demetriou, Andy Sandell makes a clearance.

45:01

The referee gets the second half underway.

45:00 +2:40 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to end the first period.

45:00 +1:51

Effort on goal by Christian Jolley from just inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target. Corner from the right by-line taken by Lee Evans, Josh Gowling makes a clearance.

45:00 +0:37

Keith Briggs is ruled offside. Alan Julian takes the direct free kick.

43:10

The ball is sent over by Lee Vaughan, Michael Flynn manages to make a clearance. Anthony Malbon takes a shot. Alan Julian gets a block in. Anthony Malbon takes a shot. Corner taken right-footed by Kyle Storer from the right by-line, Michael Smith makes a clearance. Unfair challenge on Christian Jolley by Mickey Demetriou results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Lee Evans.

40:57

The ball is crossed by Lee Evans, clearance made by Josh Gowling. Corner taken right-footed by Lee Evans to the near post, Anthony Malbon manages to make a clearance.

40:05

Michael Smith is ruled offside. Daniel Lewis takes the free kick.

38:29

Corner taken by Lee Evans, Josh Gowling makes a clearance.

36:16 Goal scored

Goal - Lee Evans - K'minster 1 - 2 Newport Lee Evans finds the net with a goal from long range to the top right corner of the goal. Kidderminster 1-2 Newport County.

35:22

Corner taken by Andy Sandell.

33:43

Free kick awarded for a foul by Keith Briggs on Max Porter. Tony James takes the free kick.

33:08

Effort from the edge of the box by Aaron O'Connor goes wide of the right-hand upright.

31:45

Mickey Demetriou concedes a free kick for a foul on Christian Jolley. Andy Sandell restarts play with the free kick.

30:14

Assist by Christian Jolley.

30:14 Goal scored

Goal - Michael Smith - K'minster 1 - 1 Newport Michael Smith grabs a goal from inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Kidderminster 1-1 Newport County.

29:04

Free kick awarded for a foul by Kyle Storer on Lee Evans. Tony James takes the direct free kick.

28:21

Anthony Malbon takes a shot. Blocked by Max Porter.

27:36

The referee gives a free kick against Kyle Storer for handball. Michael Flynn takes the free kick. Unfair challenge on Callum Gittings by Lee Evans results in a free kick. Kyle Storer takes the free kick.

26:39

Michael Smith is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Daniel Lewis.

25:48

Lee Evans sends in a cross, Kyle Storer manages to make a clearance.

22:45

Assist by Danny Pilkington.

22:45 Goal scored

Goal - Jamille Matt - K'minster 1 - 0 Newport Jamille Matt grabs a headed goal from inside the penalty area. Kidderminster 1-0 Newport County.

22:45

Danny Pilkington sends in a cross,

21:49

The ball is delivered by Lee Evans, clearance by Cheyenne Dunkley.

20:47

The ball is sent over by Lee Vaughan, clearance by Tony James.

20:03

Unfair challenge on Josh Gowling by Michael Smith results in a free kick. Daniel Lewis restarts play with the free kick.

17:49

A cross is delivered by Danny Pilkington, Andy Sandell gets a block in.

17:26

The ball is sent over by Lee Vaughan, blocked by Andy Sandell.

13:04

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Lee Evans from the left by-line to the near post. Michael Smith takes a shot. Inswinging corner taken by Andy Sandell from the right by-line, save made by Daniel Lewis. Keith Briggs takes a shot. Michael Flynn gets a block in.

12:00

Danny Pilkington crosses the ball, Ismail Yakubu manages to make a clearance.

10:43

Foul by Anthony Malbon on Michael Flynn, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by David Pipe.

9:37

A cross is delivered by David Pipe, save by Daniel Lewis.

7:46

Michael Flynn produces a cross, Josh Gowling makes a clearance. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Andy Sandell, Daniel Lewis makes a save.

7:14

Michael Flynn crosses the ball, clearance by Josh Gowling.

5:53

The assistant referee signals for offside against Danny Pilkington. Alan Julian restarts play with the free kick.

4:42

Christian Jolley delivers the ball, Cheyenne Dunkley makes a clearance. Corner taken right-footed by Aaron O'Connor from the left by-line to the near post, Lee Vaughan makes a clearance. Centre by Andy Sandell, save by Daniel Lewis.

4:26

Keith Briggs takes a shot. Tony James gets a block in.

4:04

Foul by Aaron O'Connor on Kyle Storer, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Lee Vaughan.

3:25

The referee gives a free kick against Aaron O'Connor for handball. Daniel Lewis takes the direct free kick.

1:58

Michael Smith delivers the ball.

0:37

Michael Flynn takes a shot. Blocked by Kyle Storer. Michael Flynn delivers the ball, Josh Gowling makes a clearance.

0:00

The referee gets the game started.

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