Kidderminster Harriers climbed to second in the Blue Square Bet Premier with a gritty win over 10-man Alfreton.

Steve Burr's Harriers were front inside a minute when Amari Morgan-Smith fired in a low shot from 10 yards.

Ben Tomlinson's header levelled before Josh Gowling nodded home to restore the hosts' lead, Anthony Malbon's volley making it 3-1 before the break.

Alfreton, who played the second half with defender Leigh Franks in goal, then had Theo Streete sent off late on.

  • The crowd of 2,209 at Aggborough was Kidderminster Harriers' fourth highest league gate of the season, beaten only by the visits of Luton Town, Wrexham and the New Year's Day derby with Hereford United.

The visitors lost keeper Phil Barnes at the interval following a first-half thigh strain, while Streete was dismissed for retaliating following a challenge from Gowling.

But Harriers could not take advantage of being up against a stand-in keeper.

Apart from Malbon wasting one great double opening, the visitors were the better side after the break - and Franks remained virtually untested, even when the Harriers were up against 10 men for the final 15 minutes.

Alfreton's fourth straight defeat leaves them 17th, while Harriers' fifth successive league win gives Steve Burr's men the chance to go top on Tuesday night - if they win at Nuneaton and current leaders Wrexham lose at Barrow.

Morgan-Smith's strike was his first since arriving on loan from Macclesfield on January deadline day.

Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (6)

Kidderminster Harriers

  • 01 Lewis
  • 03 Demetriou
  • 22 Dunkly
  • 30 Gowling Booked
  • 04 Storer Booked
  • 08 Vincent (Pearson - 80' )
  • 16 Jackman
  • 17 Shakes
  • 10 Malbon
  • 11 Johnson (Devaney - 71' )
  • 20 Morgan-Smith (Blissett - 58' )

Substitutes

  • 23 N Vaughan
  • 06 Williams
  • 26 Devaney
  • 13 Blissett
  • 27 Pearson

Alfreton Town

  • 01 Barnes (Arnold - 46' )
  • 02 Law
  • 03 Franklin
  • 05 Quinn
  • 06 Kempson
  • 10 Bradley
  • 12 Franks
  • 17 Streete Dismissed
  • 14 Meadows
  • 09 Clayton Booked (Boden - 70' )
  • 21 Tomlinson Booked (Soares - 82' )

Substitutes

  • 08 Soares
  • 18 Hewitt
  • 11 Arnold
  • 15 Boden
  • 20 Worsfold
Ref: Kavanagh
Att: 2,209

Match Stats

Shots

14 9

On target

8 5

Corners

1 2

Fouls

12 14

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:32 Full time

Full Time The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.

90:00 +3:09

Free kick awarded for a foul by Kyle Storer on Louie Soares. Indirect free kick taken by Louie Soares.

90:00 +1:07

Nathan Blissett is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Leigh Franks restarts play with the free kick.

90:00 +0:28

Unfair challenge on Anthony Malbon by Danny Meadows results in a free kick. Daniel Lewis restarts play with the free kick.

89:52

Dan Bradley fouled by Mickey Demetriou, the ref awards a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Darran Kempson.

88:45

Unfair challenge on Josh Gowling by Scott Boden results in a free kick. Josh Gowling restarts play with the free kick.

88:19

Kyle Storer has a shot on goal from outside the area which misses right.

87:10

Danny Meadows delivers the ball.

86:22

The ball is delivered by Danny Meadows, clearance made by Cheyenne Dunkley.

84:54

Darran Kempson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Greg Pearson. Kyle Storer produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick, Leigh Franks makes a save.

83:33

Centre by Kyle Storer, save by Josh Law.

83:05

The ball is sent over by Nathan Arnold, Cheyenne Dunkley makes a clearance.

82:44

Martin Devaney concedes a free kick for a foul on Josh Law. Free kick taken by Josh Law.

81:22 Substitution

Substitution Louie Soares on for Ben Tomlinson.

81:22 Substitution

Substitution Louie Soares replaces Josh Law.

80:20

Kyle Storer has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box missing to the wide right of the target.

78:53 Substitution

Substitution Greg Pearson on for James Vincent.

78:53

Shot by Nathan Arnold from outside the area goes high over the crossbar.

77:33

Drilled left-footed shot by Connor Franklin. Comfortable save by Daniel Lewis.

76:41

The ball is crossed by Connor Franklin, Ben Tomlinson takes a shot. Save by Daniel Lewis.

74:49

Danny Jackman takes a shot. Leigh Franks makes a save. Anthony Malbon fouled by Adam Quinn, the ref awards a free kick. Danny Jackman restarts play with the free kick.

76:15

James Vincent takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Blocked by Leigh Franks.

75:43

The assistant referee signals for offside against Nathan Blissett. Indirect free kick taken by Josh Law.

74:49

Danny Jackman takes a shot. Save by Josh Law. Anthony Malbon fouled by Adam Quinn, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Danny Jackman.

74:18

Daniel Lewis restarts play with the free kick.

74:18 Booking

Booking Josh Gowling is cautioned.

73:07 Dismissal

Dismissal Theo Streete sent off.

72:17

Theo Streete concedes a free kick for a foul on Josh Gowling.

70:35 Substitution

Substitution Martin Devaney comes on in place of Marvin Johnson.

68:56 Substitution

Substitution (Alfreton Town) makes a substitution, with Scott Boden coming on for Paul Clayton.

68:56

Shot on goal by Josh Law from just inside the area goes over the target.

66:42

Anthony Malbon takes a shot. Save by Leigh Franks.

66:17

Nathan Blissett sends in a cross.

65:19

Free kick awarded for a foul by Nathan Blissett on Connor Franklin. Leigh Franks takes the free kick.

63:50

Cheyenne Dunkley concedes a free kick for a foul on Paul Clayton. Free kick taken by Josh Law.

62:36

Daniel Lewis restarts play with the free kick.

62:36 Booking

Booking Paul Clayton is shown a yellow card.

62:27

Free kick awarded for a foul by Paul Clayton on Cheyenne Dunkley.

61:44

Marvin Johnson is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Leigh Franks takes the indirect free kick.

60:45

Outswinging corner taken by Josh Law from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Anthony Malbon.

59:43

Dan Bradley has a shot on goal from outside the box which misses right.

57:05 Substitution

Substitution Nathan Blissett joins the action as a substitute, replacing Amari Morgan-Smith.

53:58

Centre by Marvin Johnson, Close range shot by Amari Morgan-Smith misses to the left of the target.

52:40

Nathan Arnold delivers the ball.

50:54

Josh Law takes the indirect free kick.

50:54 Booking

Booking Kyle Storer is shown a yellow card.

50:49

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nathan Arnold by Kyle Storer.

50:25

The ball is swung over by Josh Law, Daniel Lewis makes a save.

49:32

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ben Tomlinson on Mickey Demetriou. Daniel Lewis takes the indirect free kick.

48:35

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Josh Gowling by Theo Streete. Daniel Lewis takes the indirect free kick.

47:51

Free kick awarded for a foul by Amari Morgan-Smith on Adam Quinn. Adam Quinn restarts play with the free kick.

46:48

Free kick awarded for a foul by Mickey Demetriou on Dan Bradley. Josh Law takes the direct free kick.

45:01

The second half kicks off.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Nathan Arnold joins the action as a substitute, replacing Phil Barnes.

45:00 +3:02 Half time

Half Time The players leave the pitch at half time.

45:00 +1:05

Marvin Johnson provided the assist for the goal.

45:00 +1:05 Goal scored

Goal - Anthony Malbon - K'minster 3 - 1 Alfreton Anthony Malbon finds the net with a goal from inside the six-yard box to the top right corner of the goal. Kidderminster 3-1 Alfreton Town.

45:00 +1:00

Centre by Marvin Johnson,

44:46

Daniel Lewis takes the free kick.

44:46 Booking

Booking Booking for Ben Tomlinson.

44:38

Ben Tomlinson is adjudged to have handled the ball.

41:43

James Vincent challenges Danny Meadows unfairly and gives away a free kick. Adam Quinn takes the free kick.

39:00

Amari Morgan-Smith crosses the ball, Effort on goal by James Vincent from just inside the area clears the crossbar.

37:04

Assist by Kyle Storer.

37:04 Goal scored

Goal - Josh Gowling - K'minster 2 - 1 Alfreton Josh Gowling finds the back of the net with a headed goal from close range. Kidderminster 2-1 Alfreton Town.

36:23

Josh Law challenges Amari Morgan-Smith unfairly and gives away a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Kyle Storer.

36:02

The ball is sent over by Mickey Demetriou, comfortable save by Phil Barnes.

30:36

Paul Clayton takes a shot. Clearance made by Kyle Storer.

29:42

Anthony Malbon is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Indirect free kick taken by Phil Barnes.

28:30

Assist on the goal came from Dan Bradley.

28:30 Goal scored

Goal - Ben Tomlinson - K'minster 1 - 1 Alfreton Ben Tomlinson grabs a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Kidderminster 1-1 Alfreton Town.

27:54

Danny Jackman produces a cross, Darran Kempson manages to make a clearance.

26:43

The ball is sent over by Marvin Johnson.

25:51

Free kick awarded for a foul by Leigh Franks on Danny Jackman. Free kick taken by Daniel Lewis.

25:19

Marvin Johnson challenges Darran Kempson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Phil Barnes.

24:20

Free kick awarded for a foul by Dan Bradley on Josh Gowling. Indirect free kick taken by Kyle Storer.

23:49

Headed effort from inside the penalty area by Josh Gowling misses to the right of the target.

22:56

Centre by Marvin Johnson, clearance made by Darran Kempson. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Kyle Storer played to the near post, Darran Kempson makes a clearance.

19:59

Marvin Johnson has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the goal.

19:28

Shot from 25 yards by Mickey Demetriou. Blocked by Theo Streete.

18:36

Paul Clayton concedes a free kick for a foul on Ricky Shakes. Indirect free kick taken by Kyle Storer.

16:48

Centre by Ricky Shakes, Josh Law makes a clearance.

14:24

Effort on goal by Connor Franklin from long range goes harmlessly over the target.

13:40

Paul Clayton takes a shot from 18 yards. Save by Daniel Lewis.

10:29

Josh Gowling concedes a free kick for a foul on Paul Clayton. Leigh Franks takes the indirect free kick.

8:19

The ball is sent over by Ricky Shakes, clearance by Darran Kempson.

6:44

Centre by Josh Gowling, Darran Kempson manages to make a clearance.

4:40

Centre by Marvin Johnson, comfortable save by Phil Barnes.

3:58

Mickey Demetriou crosses the ball, save by Phil Barnes.

3:34

Leigh Franks challenges Marvin Johnson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Kyle Storer.

2:36

Theo Streete fouled by Kyle Storer, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Adam Quinn.

0:55 Goal scored

Goal - Amari Morgan-Smith - K'minster 1 - 0 Alfreton Amari Morgan-Smith finds the back of the net with a goal from the edge of the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Kidderminster 1-0 Alfreton Town.

0:32

Theo Streete challenges Josh Gowling unfairly and gives away a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Josh Gowling.

0:14

Marvin Johnson sends in a cross, Phil Barnes makes a save.

0:00

The match has kicked off.

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