KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Jan Molby is determined that his side will discover a cure for the inconsistency which hampered them during their debut season in Division Three.

Harriers were unable to string a run of wins together during their league programme and paid the price by finishing in 16th place.

Molby said: "Inconsistency is a massive problem at this level. Barnet is a classic example and Darlington are another.

"At the other end of the scale Leyton Orient came from 19th last season to reach the play-offs this season, so that shows what can be done.

"Champions of the Conference do seem to find it difficult after that first season though. You only have to look at Halifax, Lincoln and Darlington, while ourselves and Macclesfield finished in the bottom half.

Wonders

"Only Cheltenham have finished above half way. Steve Cotterill has worked wonders there but he has built up an older squad.

"We brought in Mark Shail, Barry Horne, Ian Bogie and John Durnin who all played a lot of football up to Christmas and although they would have kept us in the Third Division to the year dot they were never going to take us to the next step."

Meanwhile, defender Craig Hinton, a recent target for transfer speculation, is expecting fierce competition for places next season when Harriers will be boosted by a number of summer signings.

The 23-year-old, who was Harriers' Player of the Year, said: "I'm sure the gaffer will be looking to bring in some new players and that will keep everybody on their toes.

"We've only got a small squad, so we need more players and better quality players, if we want to improve.

"Everybody accepts this has been a learning curve and we have to show those lessons have been learned. Teams are more organised in the Third Division and we need to produce week in, week out."