NOTTINGHAM FOREST 4 HARRIERS 0

ANY hopes of Kidder-minster Harriers creating a Worthington Cup upset were crushed last night with a comprehensive 4-0 thrashing at Division One giants Nottingham Forest.

Harriers were aiming to rival their 1994 FA Cup victory over Birmingham City with the scalp of the former European Cup winners .

But boss Ian Britton's plans in the first round of the competition were wrecked by a thoroughly professional display from the Premiership-chasing East Midlanders at the City Ground.

The gulf between Divisions One and Three was obvious with Forest's passing, skill, movement and speed all clearly superior.

This was despite the home side missing a number of regulars - including ex-England defender Des Walker- as they fielded three teenagers in their starting line-up.

Harriers were forced to reshuffle due to Adie Smith's hamstring strain but defended bravely.

They started with an ambitious 3-4-3 formation but were always in trouble after falling behind on 23 minutes.

Jack Lester was first to Jim Brennan's inviting left-wing cross with his head, leaving keeper Stuart Brock completely stranded.

Harriers had only just enjoyed their first efforts at goal with both Ian Foster and Danny Williams firing wide.

Harriers may have hoped to change the game plan at half- time but the match slipped beyond them seconds before the interval.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Riccardo Scimeca met David Johnson's cross with a sweet volley, giving Brock no chance from 15 yards.

Scimeca had earlier struck the post on six minutes with a free-kick.

The second half proved a formality for Forest who quickly added their third when Johnson nodded home Craig Westcarr's perfect cross on 51 minutes.

Keeper Darren Ward comfortably saved Harriers' first shot on target from Sean Parrish on the hour.

But then Parrish, who suffered a hamstring strain to leave him a doubt for Saturday's Division Three match at Scunthorpe, tripped Eugen Bopp in the box and Lester fired home the resulting 69th minute penalty.

It needed Brock to twice save from Westcarr late on to prevent a serious thrashing for the shell-shocked visitors.

Despite seeing their side under pressure for most of the night, the 418 Harriers fans who made the trip never stopped their noisy vocal encouragement in a disappointing crowd of 4,498.

FOREST: Ward; Louis-Jean (Thompson 46), Dawson, Doig, Brennan; Bopp, Scimeca (Reid 55), Prutton; Lester; Westcarr, Johnson (Jess 66). Subs: Roche, Antoine-Curier.

HARRIERS: Brock 6; Hinton 7, AYRES 8, Stamps 7; Ducros 6 (Doyle 74), Flynn 6, Williams 6, Parrish 6; Henriksen 6 (Shilton 66, 6), Broughton 6, Foster 6 (Lower 74). Subs: Danby, Joy.

ATTENDANCE: 4,498.

SHOTS ON: Forest 9, Harriers 1.

SHOTS OFF: Forest 10, Harriers 2.

CORNERS: Forest 12, Harriers 1.

GOALS: Lester 23, Scimeca 45, Johnson 51, Lester (pen) 69.

YELLOW CARDS: Forest 0, Harriers 1 (Doyle).

SHUTTLE STAR MAN: Lee Ayres. The young defender certainly did not disgrace himself against Division One opposition in a three-man back line. He made a series of vital interceptions and blocks to keep the scoreline down.