KIDDERMINSTER Harriers will take their best Football League displays into a tough festive programme, according to boss Jan Molby.

Four of Division Three's top-five clubs, Rochdale, Hull, Mansfield and Luton, face Harriers over the next three weeks.

But they first visit rock-bottom Halifax on Saturday with Molby admitting his men are prone to under-achieving against struggling sides.

Harriers' winning run ended with four league victories on Saturday after two defensive errors spoiled a dominant display in a 2-1 defeat at Exeter.

However, Molby has defended keeper Stuart Brock whose errors cost them, declaring he can return to his previous impressive form.

The Dane said: "The players have been as good as gold since Saturday and there is a real determination about them. They want to get playing again and hopefully winning.

"If we even get a draw out of Saturday, we have got to be quite pleased as it will mean 10 points from the last five games with four of them away from home.

"As much as how our team reacts to the Exeter defeat, it's about how our keeper reacts and I see no reason why he shouldn't carry on like before.

"Playing four of the top five in this period will be a real test but we can go into the spell full of confidence and with a number of players doing well.

"We haven't been playing as well at any other stage of our time in the Football League."

Molby, set to keep the same 11 at Halifax if defender Ian Clarkson recovers from flu, is guarding against complacency.

He admitted: "We don't have the greatest of records against bottom three or four teams.

"It has been a strange season with Hartlepool beating Hull 4-0 and Carlisle beating Scunthorpe 3-0 when they were both at the bottom .

"That's how tight the league is. But I feel that if we play anywhere near to our maximum, then we will win."

Molby has extended the loan of Colin Larkin from Wolves until the end of the season.

He praised Larkin, saying: "He's done very well though in an ideal world we would like him to have more goals.

"But that will come as he gets more confidence and more composure in front of goal.

"His movement and link-up play is very good. I'm glad we haven't lost him as he's an important part of our team."

Tony Bird is back from suspension but keeper Brendan Murphy is nursing a shoulder problem, meaning another chance for youth-teamer John Danby on the bench.

Halifax have problems in goal as the experienced Lee Butler has retired, leaving teenager Peter Crookes likely to play only his second game.

But centre-back Chris Clarke and midfielder Craig Middleton have finished bans.

l Harriers' home game with Luton has been rearranged for Tuesday, January 8.

They entertain Rochdale on Boxing Day (1pm).

Their U-19s lost 3-1 to Cambridge on Saturday with Matt Reeves scoring.