TOP-scorer Ian Foster believes having a shout at reaching the play-offs must allow Harriers players to express themselves more.

That was certainly the case when Harriers swept Exeter aside in Saturday's first half.

But the tension that can accompany a promotion challenge was evident in the second half and during Tuesday's defeat at rock-bottom Halifax.

Foster, 25, admitted: "Last season there was a lot of pressure on the lads because of the threat of relegation.

"Now we have got to be confident and express ourselves to try and get into the play-offs.

"But in the second half we did exactly the opposite after we had been going forward pressuring them.

"We gave a couple of balls away and conceded the penalty. We then seemed to sit back and wait for them to get the equaliser.

"But luckily enough their lad has hit the post with a great effort and I've scored the late goal.

"The tension increases on the lads with a lot at stake. No disrespect to Exeter but they had nothing to play for really.

"We are going for the play-offs and we want that desperately in the changing rooms."

Foster, who declared himself 100 per cent fit after hamstring problems over the past two seasons, now has nine goals and is top scorer.

But he has also been taking some dangerous corners in recent matches.

And Foster added: "It's nice to be leading scorer but it really doesn't bother me as I like to create goals too."