Saturday, October 13, 2001

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers again suffered for their lack of fire-power when they had to settle for a goalless draw in their Nationwide League Division Three clash against rivals Cheltenham Town at Aggborough.

For shot-shy Harriers it was their fourth home game on the trot that they have failed to find the back of the net.

They did, however, mark new goalkeeper Eric Nixon's debut with their second successive clean-sheet.

The 39-year-old was a late replacement for Stuart Brock who was serving the first of a three-match suspension for being sent off in his side's recent home defeat against Swansea.

Nixon, a goalkeeping coach for Tranmere Rovers, has joined Harriers on a non-contract basis to cover the period of Brock's ban.

It means the former Stockport County campaigner will be able to play in tomorrow's LDV Vans Trophy first round tie at Doncaster Rovers and Saturday's Division Three match at Carlisle United.

On Saturday he was never put under any great pressure in what was Kidderminster's third goalless draw in their last four home games.

During the first-half, in particular, Harriers produced an impressive performance, but their lack of a cutting edge leaves them with only six goals in 13 league games.

They hope the miserly tally will soon be boosted now they have secured the services of on-loan striker Colin Larkin for a further month from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Assistant Aggborough boss Gary Barnett was pleased with Harriers performance, saying: "Our boys have set themselves another standard. They have shown another step in the right direction with regards to the battling qualities that are needed in this division.

"In the Third Division you have to be very organised and strong and we showed that we have competed very well.

"All the boys are pleased with themselves and that's good. We have created chances and we thought with a little bit more quality in our passing we might have opened them up a little bit more.

"It's great keeping a clean sheet again as that gives you loads of confidence."

Regarding Harriers shortage of goals, he added: "Obviously we are aware of it and we have been working hard on it. The chances are coming, but local derbies are always very, very tight difficult games."

Robins manager Steve Cotterill said: "It was a decent enough game. We just chose a local derby to probably have one of our worst performances of the season, certainly in the first half. But to come away and get a point and not play well is, I suppose, the sign of a decent side."

Throughout the game both sides generally had to rely on long range efforts with Ian Clarkson, Dean Bennett, Adie Smith and Drewe Broughton all trying their luck.

It was the Robins, however, who created the best opportunity of the game in the 28th minute when Tony Naylor dispossessed Smith, cut inside and fired in a shot which Nixon managed to stop with his legs.

In the second-half Cheltenham came more into the picture although chances for both sides were few and far between.

A couple of headers from Broughton caused them some concern but in the end they looked content to be making the short trip home with a point.

GOALSCORERS: None.

STAR PLAYER: Dean Bennett.

BOOKINGS: Kidderminster; Stamps (unsporting behaviour). Cheltenham; Banks (foul).

ATTENDANCE: 3,554.

REFEREE: Mr R. Furnandiz (Doncaster).

KIDDERMINSTER: Nixon 6, Clarkson 6, Hinton 7, Smith 7, Stamps 6, Bird 7, Williams 6, Bennett 8, Shilton 6, Broughton 7 (Hadley, 85), Larkin 6. Subs (not used): Murphy, Foster, Ducros, Shail.

CHELTENHAM: Book, Duff, Victory, Banks, Howells, Yates (Jackson, 45), Milton, Howarth, Alsop, Naylor (Brough, 90), Williams (Devaney, 81). Subs (not used): Griffin, Muggleton.