Monday, May 1, 2000

CHAMPIONS Kidderminster Harriers were on the receiving end of a remarkable fightback by relegation-threatened Forest Green Rovers in last night's 3-3 Nationwide Conference draw at Aggborough.

Harriers looked to be cruising to a comfortable victory when they led 3-0 after 57 minutes, but battling Forest Green were richly rewarded for their never-say-die attitude which earned them a precious share of the spoils.

Jan Molby's heroes went ahead in the 14th minute when striker Stewart Hadley finished off a cross from Dean Bennett.

After that the visitors went close on at least three occasions before Kidderminster made it 2-0 when Craig Hinton scored in the 57th minute.

Assistant manager Gary Barnett notched the third -- and his first for the Aggborough club -- after 69 minutes before Forest Green staged their amazing fightback with goals from Chris Burns (70 minutes), former Westfields player Alex Sykes (71) and Marc McGregor who scored from the penalty spot in the 85th minute after he had been brought down just inside the area by Adie Smith.

Meanwhile, Molby has already started to turn his attentions to next season's debut campaign in the Third Division.

He has confirmed that he will be reviving his interest in former Welsh international Barry Horne.

He was tracking the 59-times capped midfielder when he left Huddersfield Town earlier in the season, but the player, who will be 38 later this month, answered an emergency call from Sheffield Wednesday to join them until the end of the season.

Before kick-off last night captain Mike Marsh was presented with the Supporters' Player of the Year award.

The Junior Supporters' Player of the season was former Bromsgrove Rov-ers player Adie Smith.

Kidderminster: Brock 7 (Clarke, 51, 6), Clarkson 7 (Cunnington, 86), Stamps 7, Pope 7, Hinton 8, Smith 6, Bennett 7, Hadley 7, Barnett 7, Foster 6, Marsh 7 (Taylor, 87). Subs (not used): Hines, Davies.

Star player: Craig Hinton.

Attendance: 5,301.