KIDDERMINSTER Harriers climbed to second place in the Nationwide League Division Three with a 4-0 thrashing of Swansea City at the Vetch Field last night.

Even dejected Swansea supporters shrugged off their own misery to give Kidderminster a rousing tribute at the end as Harriers celebrated their biggest ever League win.

"I've never seen any thing like it -- it was a fantastic thing for those fans to do," admitted Kidderminster manager Ian Britton.

"But I think they realised they had seen a special performance out there, it was one of those nights when we really did hit a peak of form."

But Britton was not swept away by statistics, saying: "The only time when all these things will matter is after 46 games not 16. If we are in the top three, that's the time to start celebrating.

"Until then we have to take it one game at a time. I know that's not very exciting, but that is the only way we can look at it."

Nobody sparkled more in Kidderminster's cause than John Melligan, the flying wing man on loan from Wolves who left Swansea's defenders chasing shadows with his craft and speed.

It was only fitting that he should have the final word, cracking in the fourth goal after another twisting run through a shell-shocked Swansea rearguard.

That came in the 62nd minute and climaxed a sensational three goals in 10 minutes spell.

Harriers were well on top but ahead at the interval by only a single goal rifled home by Sam Shilton.

"I gave them a bit of a roasting at half time, told them they were keeping Swansea in the game by missing so many chances," said Britton. His words certainly produced the desired effect.

Bo Henriksen's challenge forced Swansea's defender Andrew Mumford to head into his own net for their second after 52 minutes then Drewe Broughton headed their home the third five minutes later -- his first goal of the season -- before Melligan completed the rout.

Kidderminster: Brock 7, Stamps 7, Williams 7, (Bennett 45, 7), Hinton 6 (Parrish 45, 7), Broughton 7 (Foster 75), Shilton 8, Henriksen 8, Ayres 7, Flynn 8, H Melligan 9, Coleman 8. Subs not used: Danby, Sall.

Attendance: 3,421.