KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Ian Britton is preparing for tomorrow's trip to Rochdale (3pm) by telling his players they must become more consistent if they intend to clinch at least a play-off spot in the Nationwide League Division Three.

After two damaging defeats on the trot against Boston and Scunthorpe, Harriers returned to winning ways on Tuesday with an unconvincing 1-0 home victory over Southend United.

It hoisted them to eighth position in the table just one point away from an automatic promotion place, and with just 12 games to go Britton believes the need for more consistency is becoming crucial.

He said: "With each game that passes there is less margin for error. I know this side is good enough to finish inside the top seven but it's the consistency we are lacking.

"I have told the players the worst they can do is to look back at the end of the season and think about what might have been."

Aggborough skipper Sean Flynn echoes Britton's belief that consistency will be the key to Harriers' run-in to the end of the season.

The 35-year-old midfielder said: "You could see the anxiety and tension plus the lack of belief among the team after two defeats but we still got the result we needed against Southend.

"Rochdale will be difficult but they are all difficult and there is not going to be an easy game between now and the end of the season.

"It's an away game, though, and we tend to play better on our travels because the pressure is off us. We like to attack a bit more and play football."

Britton, who has yet to finalise his side for the trip to Spotland, had hoped to bring in another new signing ahead of the match.

One newcomer has agreed to move to Aggborough but the mystery man is still needed by his club due to injury problems and the deal is currently on hold.

Goalkeeper Fraser Digby and defender Dion Scott have agreed new short-term deals to keep them at Aggborough for another month while striker Andy Corbett, who is on a season-long loan with Solihull Borough, has been released.

Harriers will hope to go one better tomorrow than when they drew 0-0 with Rochdale at Aggborough on September 21.

Paul Simpson's men are 16th in the table and tomorrow is their first match at Spotland since a surprise 1-0 defeat against relegation-threatened Carlisle United on February 22.

FORMCAST: Harriers will have to settle for a 1-1 draw.