Tuesday, April 15, 2003

SAM Shilton's late strike gave Kidderminster a crucial 1-0 win at Rochdale which will keep their play-off rivals "looking over their shoulders", according to manager Ian Britton.

The Harriers midfielder fired home from the edge of the box in the 83rd minute to decide a game which ebbed and flowed throughout. His side move up to 11th, just three points below seventh-placed Torquay.

Britton was naturally delighted with the result and sent out a warning that his side are far from finished in terms of a promotion push.

"It was three important points won especially at this stage of the season," he said.

"The manner in which we got them was pleasing as well. I thought we played very well and had we taken our chances we could have won by more."

Adie Smith was the first to get a sight of goal when he broke out of defence and let fly from 25 yards, but his shot was straight at Rochdale's stand-in goalkeeper Neil Bennett.

Irish winger Patrick McCourt led the fight back for the home side with a dazzling run past five would-be tacklers. Shilton just managed to nudge the ball out for a corner as McCourt was poised to shoot.

Paul Simpson's side enjoyed greater possession as the first half wore on. The player-manager saw two long-range efforts kept out by Stuart Brock and Darren Hockenhull blasted over from six yards with the goal at his mercy.

Bo Henriksen was the visitors' main threat in attack and was unlucky not to win a free-kick when Grand pulled him back as he raced onto a long ball.

After a scrappy start to the second half, Harriers settled once more and piled on the pressure. Henriksen shot wide twice after neat footwork had bought him space in the Dale box and Broughton headed over from a corner.

But just as the cause looked lost up popped Shilton. Harriers won a throw-in on the left and Smith launched a special into the Rochdale box. Evans couldn't get the required distance on his header and Shilton sent the ball skidding past Bennett's despairing dive.

"Because we've won tonight, teams are going to be looking over their shoulders," said Britton. "We've got to play Wrexham and York, who are in those play-off places, so it's still in our grasp."

Kidderminster: Brock 7, Smith 7 (Stamps 59, 6), Scott 6, Hinton 7, Bennett 7, Melligan 6, Williams 7, Flynn 7, Shilton 8, Henriksen 7, Broughton 7. Subs not used: Danby, McAuley, Parrish, Bishop. Attendance: 1,810