Blyth Spartans 3 Kidderminster Harriers 3 - Report

Mark Yates, the Harriers manager, refused to rule out a bid for the play-offs before the fixture but, after this draw which leaves Harriers in tenth position and five points outside the play off positiions, they will still need to put together an amazing run to achieve their aims.

Harriers recalled fit again Russ Penn into the midfield whilst Ed Williams made his first start since New Year’s Day at the expense of Billy Daniels and illness victim Liam McAlinden.

Not for the first time this season, Harriers were undone by an early goal. Dan Maguire claiming the goal after Keiran Green’s strike deflected off him on 48 seconds.

Blyth’s joy was shortlived, Fraser Horsfall climbing the highest to Nick Clayton-Phillips right wing cross to loop a header back across keeper Peter Jameson.

A Jameson error on 21 minutes was costly not only for Blyth but for him personally, receiving a red card for hauling down Joe Ironside. Ironside calmly fired home the resultant kick past stand-in keeper Robbie Dale.

Dan Maguire was fortunate to stay on the field for a challenge on Ryan Johnson but Harriers struggled to get beyond the visiting defence as the first half came to a close.

Ed Williams looked to have made it safe with twenty minutes left as he stroked home Billy Daniels’ pass.

Then came the Spartans late show, Dan Maguire lashed home what many thought would be a consolation goal on 88 minutes taking advantage of some poor defending to net from close range.

In time added on, Harriers were forced back towards their own goal, and Nathan Buddle supporting the attack strode onto a loose ball to fire the ball into the bottom right corner and send the home fans wild.

Blyth Spartans: Jameson, Nicholson, Mullen(Reid 66), Buddle, Laing, Holmes (Wrightson 89) , Horner, Green (Oliver 79), Rivers, Maguire, Dale. Subs Not Used: Fewster, Butler.

Kidderminster Harriers: Hall, Austin, Taylor, Horsfall, Johnson, Penn, Clayton-Phillips (Daniels 45), Chambers (Richards 78), Ironside, Butterfield, Williams (Truslove 83). Subs Not Used: Heaton, Higginson.