Harriers 1, Bristol Rovers 1

Mat Kendrick reports from Aggborough

THE agitated figure of Stuart Watkiss told the story as Kidderminster Harriers picked up a point that in the final reckoning could be completely pointless because of results elsewhere.

Each time his Harriers side sloppily conceded possession or chose the wrong option , his face and body contorted as his sense of helplessness hit home.

And the feeling at a freezing cold Aggborough on Tuesday night was that whatever Watkiss tries and whoever he plays Kidderminster are almost beyond salvation in their season-long survival scrap.

It's strange for a man who takes to the touchline in shorts in the height of winter to preach about "common sense", but that's precisely what his Kidderminster troops are lacking.

As the manager was at pains to point out his team persist in putting themselves in strong positions only to abandon the principles which have given them positive platforms in the first place.

Watkiss knows it and insists that his side do too but all the team talks in the world won't help if players forget the footballing basics whenever they cross the white line.

Although he is hardly blessed with an embarrassment of riches, the boss must take the rap too because constantly tinkering and persevering with out of form players is not conducive to getting results.

Once again Kidderminster put in an encouraging performance level early on, only to drop their standards as the game progressed. From the kick off Harriers were sharp and at it and even before they broke the deadlock on the half hour mark, they created a handful of half chances.

After a bright run to the edge of the box, Blair Sturrock dragged an early shot straight at Kevin Miller who also comfortably fielded an effort from John McGrath.

Bertrand Cozic was the next to go close with a header before Johnny Mullins and Wayne Hatswell were crowded out after threatening from a corner and Tom Bennett had a fierce volley turned around the post.

In the end it was being positive and on the front foot, qualities Watkiss places great store in, that eventually led to the breakthrough on 29 minutes.

Mullins's crunc-hing tackle on Ryan Williams near the halfway line saw him emerge with the ball and thread through a measured pass which Sturrock swept stylishly past Miller from the edge of the box.

Harriers were deservedly on top and could have extended their lead before the break when a firm Dean Keates drive was deflected over and the impressive Chris Beardsley glanced a header wide.

Of course, Kidderminster did not have things entirely their own way before the break with Rovers dangerman Junior Agogo spurning two decent chances from close range at the start and the end of the first half.

And having already scored against Harriers in the league and LDV this term there was the ominous feeling that Agogo could strike again.

So it proved as Simon Weaver took his turn to be the Kidderminster fall guy when he allowed the prolific poacher to get the wrong side of him and nutmeg John Danby for the equaliser on 53 minutes.

Harriers huffed and puffed, but other than a driving run and shot from Cozic which was palmed away by Miller and a couple of threatening moments from Beardsley and Sturrock they struggled to break down the Bristol backline.

And they could consider themselves fortunate to escape with a draw when Agogo rattled the post with a ferocious volley and Danby brilliantly tipped round a strike by Richard Walker, before Hatswell went unpunished for a foul on Lewis Haldane inside the penalty box.

The news that Rushden had won to increase the safety gap to seven points - effectively eight with Harriers' woeful goal difference - compounded a miserable night.

HARRIERS: Danby 7, Mullins 6 (Jenkins 66, 6), Hatswell 5, Weaver 5, Jackson 6, Cozic 6, McGrath 6, Keates 6, Bennett 5, Sturrock 7, BEARDSLEY 8.

ROVERS: Miller, Hinton, Ryan, Edwards, Anderson (Disley 34), Elliott, Lescott, Hunt, Williams, Agogo, Walker (Haldane 88). Subs not used: Forrester, Shakes, Trollope.

REFEREE: Alan Kayes (West Yorkshire).

ATTENDANCE: 2,082 (away fans 295).