ANY worried Kidderminster Harriers fans were given reasons to be cheerful in time for the big Division Three kick-off on Saturday.

Harriers put some dodgy pre-season results behind them with an excellent 3-2 win over firm rivals Cheltenham Town who won promotion to Division Two through the play-offs last season.

The weekend match was more like a blood and thunder league tie, quite literally with lightning streaking in the distance.

With Sean Flynn making an influential debut in midfield, Harriers looked far more prepared for the season proper than in past friendlies.

Though Cheltenham held the lead at one point, Harriers were never outdone by their visitors and looked fitter as they won the game with two goals in the last 18 minutes.

Nothing has changed though - Saturday's game with Lincoln is the important one and will require 100 per cent commitment from Ian Britton's troops.

Harriers were the brighter side for the first half against Cheltenham whose boss Graham Allner returned to the club he managed for 15 years.

It was quickly clear that Flynn had spent much of his career at a far higher level with plenty of experience at Coventry, Derby, West Brom and Tranmere.

The 34-year-old ran the game well from midfield and belted two shots from distance just off target in the first 20 minutes.

Confident forward Drewe Broughton, who looks as ready as anybody for the new season, was also willing to have a go from outside the box.

And Broughton gave Harriers a 28th-minute lead, tucking away a penalty into the bottom corner after a nudge in the back from defender Steve Jones who turned down a move to Aggborough last year.

The target-man was in the thick of the action again 11 minutes later but was unlucky not to turn the ball goalwards after keeper Steve Book made a mess of Dean Bennett's cross.

Much-improved Bennett then supplied Bo Henriksen who fired over from the edge of the box but Cheltenham's strike-force showed their class on the stroke of half-time.

Recent signing Paul Brayson glided into the box past defenders Craig Hinton and Lee Ayres before beating Stuart Brock with a clinical finish.

Brock saved well from Hugh McAuley and Brayson in the second half before Harriers should have taken the lead again on 54 minutes.

Henriksen knocked Danny Williams' pass past stranded keeper Book and lively left-back Ian Joy latched onto the ball, curling a cross-shot onto the bar.

The rebound fell nicely for Bennett but the midfielder, playing wide on the right, lashed his volley erratically over and then saw the visitors take the lead almost immediately.

Tony Naylor headed Brayson's left-wing cross onto the woodwork only for sub Damian Spencer to react first and nod the rebound into the net.

However, there was very little seen from Cheltenham afterwards despite ex-Harriers skipper Mark Yates' non-stop efforts in midfield.

Book did brilliantly to tip over a vicious effort from Henriksen who seems to have linked up well with Broughton in attack and then the equaliser arrived on 72 minutes.

Bennett made up for his miss with a perfect cross to pick out Broughton and he bagged his fourth pre-season goal with a smart turn and finish into the bottom corner.

Strike partner Henriksen was clearly hungry for goals and fastened onto Joy's long pass before ramming home the winner close to full-time.

It was no more than Harriers deserved in the end and another bonus was a composed display from 17-year-old Scott Lower at right-back.

HARRIERS: Brock; Lower, Ayres, Hinton, Joy; Bennett (Doyle 78), Flynn, D Williams, Parrish (Shilton 78); Broughton, Henriksen. Subs not used: Danby, Ducros, Corbett, Lewis, Khela.

CHELTENHAM: Book; Griffin (S Duff 46), Jones, Brough, Victory; L Williams (Spencer 46), McAuley, Yates, Milton (Bird 71); Brayson, Naylor (Kear 80). Subs not used: Finnigan, M Duff.

ATTENDANCE: 1,063.