More away misery as Kidderminster Harriers lose to Gateshead
Kidderminster Harriers have now gone seven games without a league win away from home following their 3-1 defeat at fellow play-off contenders Gateshead.
Harriers last tasted an away victory in the Skrill Premier division on October 12 at Southport and, at a windswept International Stadium, a failure to take their first-half chances combined with individual errors cost them dear.
Kidderminster pressed early, with the wind at their backs, but Michael Gash's powerful header from Amari Morgan-Smith's centre was superbly parried by Adam Bartlett in the home goal.
Bartlett, a former Harriers stopper, became the thorn in the visitors' side producing a string of saves to deny Callum Gittings and an audacious 45-yard free-kick from Harriers top scorer Gash.
His best save came midway through the first half, flinging himself away to his right to divert a Kyle Storer drive that came through a ruck of legs, Craig Baxter being on hand to clear any hope of a follow-up attempt from the visitors' strikers.
Gateshead held firm to the half-time whistle and came out with renewed vigour with the elements in their favour after the break.
On 51 minutes the home side broke the deadlock. Adrian Cieslewicz tried to run the ball out of defence but was forced across his own area. John Oster dispossessed him and played a neat one-two with Colin Larkin before firing a low drive inside Danny Lewis' right-hand post.
Just after the hour mark Harriers were undone again. Lewis Sirrell broke down the left and laid the ball to winger James Marwood.
Marwood appeared to over-hit his centre only for the wind to catch it and send it curling into the net with Lewis caught out of position.
On 71 minutes substitute Ryan Noble made an immediate impact sending Marcus Maddison clear and Gateshead were on their way to recording their 11th game without defeat on their own pitch.
Harriers substitute Marvin Johnson grabbed a consolation goal a minute from time, bundling the ball home after Bartlett had bravely punched clear from the high boot of Josh Gowling.
Manager Andy Thorn said afterwards: "There wasn't much between the two sides but we cannot make individual errors and expect to get anything out of the game.
"We created some good opportunities and Michael Gash should have scored with his chance, but the wind made it very difficult for both teams and in the end we contributed to our own downfall which is disappointing."
