Non-league round-up: Brown hails Harriers' character as they return to top spot

Maz Kouhyar and Amari Morgan-Smith twice had Harriers in front in the first half, only for Scarborough to level on each occasion.

But Kidderminster took control after the interval and grabbed the winner midway through the second half when Kouhyar and Amari Morgan-Smith combined to set up Ashley Hemmings for the winner.

"I was delighted with the attitude and the mentality of the players because at half-time, having gone in front twice, we found ourselves level through no fault of our own," said Brown, whose side are a point ahead of Curzon Ashton and King's Lynn Town. "But for me, we weren't getting second balls, we weren't getting into the thick of it - and I think it was down to the environment more than anything else. They were a tough unit at home.

"We know what the circumstances were like and you've got to play the conditions, and play against the supporters, who are vociferous, which they are entitled to be, so it was a real test of character.

"Many a time I would have lost that game as a coach, as a manager, as a player because of the emotional control side of things - straight away you are in the thick of the battle, you've lost your head and the next thing you know you've lost the game.

"But I asked the players for control at half-time, and my word they didn't half provide it.

"It was much and nettles, it was in the thick of things - you're never going to get anything free of charge at Scarborough - and it was a tough old game, but we've come out of it with a lot of plaudit from the character side of the game as opposed to the good footballing team we've been acclaimed."

Now they are top of the league, Brown says it should make no difference to how his side are viewed by their rivals.

"Kidderminster are one of the top non-league sides in the game, well renowned for the size of the club and the investment, etc, etc... so the target is already on our back regardless whether you are in the National League or National League North or South," he added. "Consequently, we're top of the league so people will say the target gets bigger, but at the end of the day you have got to be able to handle that and I think that's what we showed."

Meanwhile, Halesowen Town ended their three-match losing streak to climb to fourth in the Southern Central Premier - just two points behind leaders Kettering Town, having played two games more.

Josh Smile and Conor Tee scored either side of half-time to earn them a 2-0 victory over Stamford at The Grove.

However, Stourbridge's winless streak now stretches to six matches after their 2-1 defeat at Spalding United left them in 11th place.

Ethan Freemantle gave the Glassboys a 17th-minute lead, but Spalding turned the match around in the second half.

And Chasetown came from behind to earn a point at Newcastle Town in Northern One West - George Cater levelled in the 75th minutes to leave them sixth in the table.

Meanwhile, Rushall Olympic's three-year grip on the Walsall Senior Cup came to an end at the hands of Coalville Town on Monday.

Coleshill joined Chasetown in the semi-finals after beating the Pics 4-2 on penalties following a goalless draw.

Darlaston Town and Hednesford Town will compete for a place in the last four when they meet on Wednesday night (7.45pm).