IT had taken some time coming but Kidderminster Harriers can at last breathe a little easier after earning the crucial win that should preserve their Division Three status.

Boss Jan Molby will hope this weight off the players' shoulders can allow them to showcase their talents for real in the remaining six games.

There is no doubting the ability Molby has at his disposal - but two wins in 2001 had understandably wrecked the team's confidence.

A third victory against Shrewsbury on Saturday was crucial and it was duly delivered with a much-improved, spirited display.

And one of the factors that inspired the success was a surprise switch for Craig Hinton to a midfield position he held towards the end of last season.

Adie Smith, returning from a groin injury, returned to the defence as if he had never left and swept up a lot at the back.

Hinton, meanwhile, showed he could do a job in the engine room and was praised by his manager.

Up-front, John Durnin had one of his best games for Harriers and epitomised the fighting spirit shown throughout Saturday's line-up.

They may have picked up five yellow cards but at least that was a real sign that Molby's men were not prepared to be a push-over.

It was exactly the kind of performance needed against a young Shrewsbury side who failed to set the world alight in either derby clash.

But in winger Sam Aiston and striker Luke Rodgers, the visitors had two pacey, dangerous players who could threaten the Harriers rear-guard.

However, Harriers' wily combination of Durnin and Drewe Broughton - despite their lack of speed - were canny enough to make the difference.

Within two minutes, Durnin had shown great forethought with a tremendous effort from 25 yards that caught keeper Paul Edwards off his line but went just over.

The experienced forward was booked four minutes later and then had Harriers' best chance so far on 33 minutes.

Broughton nodded the ball accurately into his path - a real feature of the game - but Durnin sliced a wayward volley from 12 yards.

He made up for his miss five minutes before half-time, rounding Edwards and shooting through Matt Redmile's legs after Broughton headed down Scott Stamps' raking pass.

The half-time entertainment was different - a Shrewsbury streaker cavorting around the pitch just after the second period had started.

But Harriers kept their concentration and forged further ahead on 52 minutes when Hinton instinctively flicked Durnin's free-kick into the corner of the net.

Edwards saved well from a Mark Shail header and vicious Thomas Skovbjerg shot as the home side regained their confidence.

They had found enough to survive a Shrewsbury fightback when Clarkson tripped Aiston and Rodgers tucked home the 61st-minute penalty.

And Broughton grabbed his first goal in eight games, heading Skovbjerg's cross firmly into the net.

Harriers ended a run of eight games without defeat but need to show this was not a one-off, beginning with Saturday's trip to Macclesfield.

SHOTS ON TARGET

Harriers 10 Shrewsbury 2

CORNERS

Harriers 3 Shrewsbury 2

BOOKINGS

Harriers 5 (Durnin, Clarkson, Broughton, Skovbjerg, Ducros)

Shrewsbury 1 (Collins)

ATTENDANCE: 4,548

LINE-UPS

HARRIERS (4-4-2): Clarke 6; Clarkson 6, Shail 6, Smith 7, Stamps 7; Skovbjerg 6, Hinton 7, Webb 6, Bennett 6; DURNIN 8, Broughton 7. Subs: Brock, Bird (Bennett 65) 6, Medou-Otye, Ducros (Skovbjerg 86) 6, Hadley (Broughton 86) 6.

SHREWSBURY (4-4-2): Edwards 6; Seabury 6, Redmile 6, Collins 6, Rioch 6; Brown 6, Murray 6, Peer 6, Aiston 7; Rodgers 7, Lowe 6. Sub: Wilding, Dunbavin, Tretton (Seabury 61) 6, Harris (Brown 73) 6, Jones.

SHUTTLE STAR MAN

JOHN DURNIN

Was clearly wound up for this game and proved to be one of the major influences in Harriers' third win of 2001. An intelligent performance, featuring a goal and an assist, though he missed a few other chances.