ROCHDALE 0 HARRIERS 1
THERE are certainly no white flags being held aloft at Aggborough where Kidderminster Harriers refuse to throw in the towel on their Division Three play-off chase.
Despite Saturday's heart-breaking 2-1 defeat at Aggborough, Ian Britton's side finally returned to winning ways at Rochdale three days later with their first success in seven games.
Sam Shilton's strike seven minutes from time on Tuesday night leaves Harriers' top-seven rivals looking over their shoulders.
Though it remains a tall order, another victory at home to Wrexham this weekend is sure to bring renewed optimism.
Harriers' first league victory at Spotland was deserved as they piled on the pressure in the second half.
With only one change from Saturday, the return of Drewe Broughton for the less experienced Andy Bishop, the players showed tremendous character to finally turn their form around.
Harriers moved up to 11th position back above Cambridge and just three points below seventh-placed Torquay.
In front of a sparse crowd, Harriers nearly opened the scoring early on with Shilton firing narrowly wide from 25 yards and Adie Smith forcing a save from stand-in keeper Neil Bennett.
Rochdale's impressive Irish winger Patrick McCourt helped the game swing back into their favour and a promising run was only ended by Dion Scott's last-ditch challenge.
The home side enjoyed greater possession and player-manager Paul Simpson saw two long-range efforts kept out by keeper Stuart Brock.
Defender Simon Grand headed over from close range on 22 minutes and then Darren Hockenhull wasted a great chance later in the half, blazing off target from six yards with the goal at his mercy.
Top scorer Bo Henriksen, the visitors' main threat, fired into the side netting before the interval and was to see more of the ball in the second period.
Henriksen, showing neat footwork, later fired over the bar from the edge of the area and then directed Danny Williams' through-ball just wide of goal.
Drewe Broughton headed over from a corner, while Dean Bennett finished off a cross-field run by driving inches past the post.
But just as the cause looked lost, up popped former Coventry City winger Shilton seven minutes from time.
Substitute Scott Stamps' long throw from the left was only half-cleared by former Walsall man Wayne Evans and Shilton sent a fine half-volley skidding into the corner of the net past Bennett's despairing dive.
Harriers had not scored before at Rochdale's smart ground but they chose a crucial time to open their account and it leaves another exciting clash for Britton's men on Saturday.
ROCHDALE: Bennett; Evans, Griffiths, Grand, Doughty (Townson 84); Hockenhull, Flitcroft (Beech 84), Simpson, McCourt; Platt, Connor (McEvilly 69). Subs not used: Baker, Taylor.
HARRIERS: Brock 7; Smith 7 (Stamps 59, 6), Scott 6, Hinton 7; Bennett 7, Melligan 6, Williams 7, Flynn 7, SHILTON 8; Henriksen 7 (Bishop 88), Broughton 7. Subs not used: Danby, McAuley, Parrish.
ATTENDANCE: 1,810.
SHOTS ON: Rochdale 3, Harriers 3.
SHOTS OFF: Rochdale 5, Harriers 8.
CORNERS: Rochdale 8, Harriers 10.
GOALS: Shilton 83.
YELLOW CARDS: Rochdale 1 (Flitcroft), Harriers 1 (Hinton).
SHUTTLE STAR MAN: Sam Shilton. Busy all game and capped a good display with the crucial goal, his sixth of the season.
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