JAN Molby has come to the defence of under-fire Paul Webb by labelling Scunthorpe United manager Brian Laws' comments "absolute rubbish".

Laws has threatened to report Webb for the tackle which left Scunthorpe skipper Nigel Pepper with a broken leg in Saturday's Division Three clash at Glanford Park.

The flashpoint came 15 minutes into the match and an incensed Pepper lashed out at Webb with a hefty punch after the challenge - an offence he was later dismissed for.

However, rather than condemning the violent conduct, Laws was all in favour of Pepper's petulant response and heaped blame on Webb for the tackle.

He said: "I am putting in a written complaint about the tackle.

"The challenge looked two-footed and the referee has sent off my player for a reaction to a broken leg."

He added: "If the lad (Webb) had been anywhere near me I would have hit him. It was a very strong challenge against him and the referee should look into that."

Molby, however, was scathing in his response.

"Brian Laws is talking absolute rubbish which is unsurprising because that is what I expect from him.

"The tackle was worse from Pepper than it was from Webb and he cannot have any complaints about the sending off because he's punched him."

The game, which Harriers lost 2-0, was there for the taking for Kidderminster after Pepper's dismissal but they failed to spark up front and were exposed defensively.

Molby described the defending as "shocking" for both goals but also laid blame at the door of strikers Tony Bird, Ian Foster and Stewart Hadley.

Hadley, though, was hailed the hero after the 1-1 Worthington Cup first round, first leg draw at Walsall on Tuesday night.

Kidderminster will now face the Saddlers in two weeks' time, buoyant in the knowledge they can compete at that level.

Molby said: "I was delighted with the level of performance because the whole team worked exceptionally hard against a good Walsall side.

"Hadley could have had a hat-trick in the first half and, considering he was playing on his own up front, he was magnificent."

Molby travelled to the Bescot Stadium with a game-plan of containment and counter-attack.

He said: "We went there to get a result. However, you can ask players to play in any formation but it is up to them to perform."

Kidderminster get back to league action on Saturday when they welcome Halifax Town to Aggborough with Paul Webb facing a late fitness test on his ankle and shin.

Harriers then travel to Brighton & Hove Albion on Bank Holiday Monday with Molby urging fans to support his side. "The support was disappointing at Scunthorpe.

"However, I hope there will be a good number who travel down to Brighton because we need their support."

Harriers are to extend ticket office opening hours to cater for the Brighton and Walsall games.

The Brighton clash has been made all ticket and to cope with demand, the ticket office will now be open from 9.15am until 8pm today and next Thursday.

It will also be open from 9am until noon on Saturday ahead of the Halifax clash.