AN ENTERTAINING Friday night of goals gave Kidderminster Harriers an eye-catching start to their Aggborough friendly programme.

Harriers lost 4-2 to Reading but led the Division One new boys 2-1 at one stage in the first half.

The class of last season's Division Two runners-up told in the end as they dominated much of the last 45 minutes.

Adie Smith and Andy Ducros tested keeper Phil Whitehead from distance before the visitors took a 10th-minute lead.

Wideman Nicky Forster beat right-back Lee Ayres before fiercely lashing home a terrific finish from an angle via the woodwork.

Harriers produced a quick response though as the busy Ayres chipped in a perfect right-wing cross for front-man Drewe Broughton to nod home.

And a superb Bo Henriksen strike put them ahead when the striker unleashed an unstoppable finish from just inside the area after Sean Parrish headed back Whitehead's goal-kick.

The home side played some intricate football at times and looked promising but Reading pegged Ian Britton's men back five minutes before half-time.

Former Birmingham City man Forster again skinned young Ayres and delivered a low cross that Harriers' home debutant Parrish knocked into his own net.

Harriers' defence was opened up alarmingly easy in the second half but at least it was clear the opposition were of good quality.

Ex-Walsall forward Martin Butler beat the offside trap to break onto Tony Rougier's pass and calmly beat keeper Stuart Brock on 52 minutes.

Butler escaped again five minutes later onto Sammy Igoe's pass and unselfishly squared the ball for former England international John Salako to tap into an empty net.

However, Harriers did create a couple of opportunities with sub Ian Foster forcing Whitehead into two good saves and the impressive Broughton was also denied by the keeper.

HARRIERS: Brock; Ayres (Bennett 46), Sall, Hinton, Joy (Stamps 68); Smith, Williams, Parrish; Ducros (Shilton 68); Henriksen (Foster 46), Broughton. Subs not used: Danby, Doyle, Corbett.

ATTENDANCE: 814.