Pictures and analysis of Wrexham 2 Harriers 1

Harriers returned from Wales last night beaten but unbowed ahead of their date with destiny at Aggborough on Sunday.

Steve Burr's men lost the first leg of their play-off semi-final in frustrating fashion at the Racecourse Ground, surrendering an unbeaten record that stretched back 10 games.

But, with just one goal between the sides ahead of the weekend resumption of hostilities, Harriers will fancy their chances of turning the tie around at a home ground where they have won nine of their 11 games in 2013.

Despite Neil Ashton's penalty with five minutes to go, handing the Dragons a marginal advantage for Sunday's lunchtime showdown, Burr and Co will be confident of booking that Wembley trip on May 5.

A repeat of the flat first-half display that allowed David Artell to give the hosts a half-time lead last night will make life difficult.

But more of what they showed in the second period, when a Michael Gash penalty had them on level terms for 28 minutes, will give them a real chance.

Burr said: "We are not favourites because we're losing the game at the moment, but it's half-time and we will try to turn it around.

"In the first-half, we didn't really come out of the traps very quickly and I'm disappointed we didn't pass it well.

"In the second-half, we got hold of the ball a bit better and created a bit more. It's half-time and we have still got an opportunity to turn it around at Kidderminster.

"When we scored it gave us a lift and I thought we would get another one but they scored late on and edged in front.

"We know what we have to do and that's win the game to overturn the 2-1 deficit."

After a scrappy start to the game, it was Harriers who had the first sight of goal through Cheyenne Dunkley.

The big centre-back rose above Artell to meet a corner from Danny Jackman but sent his header well wide of the post.

But the hosts replied in kind just moments later when Artell headed just over the crossbar from a right-wing corner by former Kidderminster captain Dean Keates.

And Wrexham made most of the running early on, with player-manager Andy Morrell sending a header just off-target.

Then another veteran striker, the lively Brett Ormerod, hit a left-footed shot that drew a smart, diving save from Harriers goalkeeper Danny Lewis.

Morrell's chance was enough to provoke a heated argument between Harriers captain Kyle Storer and team-mate Marvin Johnson.

And there was a further scare for Harriers when the home side had a loud penalty appeal turned down, after James Vincent appeared to block a pass with his arm.

Vincent found himself in a couple of decent positions but failed to pick out the right pass and his frustration was compounded when he was booked for a late challenge on Jay Harris.

Red Dragons goalkeeper Chris Maxwell then had to claim bravely from a Jackman cross as Johnson steamed in eyeing a far-post header.

Harriers suffered a blow near the end of the first half when Vincent limped off with a hamstring injury to be replaced by substitute Keith Briggs. The midfielder is now all-but ruled out of the second leg.

And Burr's men found themselves behind in first-half stoppage time. Ormerod was given space on the right to pick out a cross and it was nodded home from close range by Artell.

Wrexham might have doubled their lead two minutes into the second half when Ormerod raced down the right and sent a low cross in for Johnny Hunt, whose instinctive effort flew over the crossbar.

And they had another half-chance when a low shot from Harris flew agonisingly away from Keates.

But Harriers were level on 57 minutes when a rash challenge from former Wolves trainee and ex-Harriers defender Martin Riley sent Anthony Malbon tumbling and Gash stepped up to drill the spot-kick low past Maxwell.

The goal settled Harriers and they appeared much more dangerous in the aftermath, with substitute Martin Devaney and midfielder Jackman both drawing good saves from Maxwell.

But with five minutes to go they were behind again after Josh Gowling was adjudged to have fouled Ormerod on the edge of the six-yard box. Ashton stepped up to dispatch the penalty past Lewis.

Morrell said: "We're only halfway there and we have got a huge job because they're very good at home.

"But we're not bad away either so we will go there full of confidence and try to nick something."

By Steve Madeley