Bird side-footed a volley into the side netting on 27 minutes after finding space at the far post from a Williams cross.

The striker was denied again on 32 minutes when he leapt to head down Bennett's chipped right-wing cross only for Brightwell to hook the ball off the line. Tony Bird was busy before half time

Henriksen then tested Collett minutes later with a rasping 25-yard drive that the keeper held well.

Harriers continued to attack and the busy Bird raced onto Clarkson's fine long pass to rifle a 25-yard effort that the keeper eventually managed to gather.

Appleby, who was having an impressive game on the left wing, then hit a tame shot straight at Collett minutes later.

However, Darlington went straight down the other end and Hinton made a crucial block to deny Wainwright eight yards out.