A second minute goal decided Kidderminster Harriers' fate as they battled in vain to break down a strong Southend rearguard.

All it took was an early lack of concentration which allowed midfielder Carl Hutchings to fire home from 12 yards.

For all their possession, Harriers only had one serious shot on target when targetman Drewe Broughton headed too close to keeper Darryl Flahavan.

They did have enough of the ball to have earned an equaliser but they need to be far more ruthless and young on-loan striker Colin Larkin in particular did not quite have that.

Southend, meanwhile, found chances easier to come by through their lively strikeforce but their finishing touch let them down badly.

Harriers will be bitterly disappointed after failing to build on Tuesday's big defeat of York and once again drawing a blank in front of goal.