IF the worn-out walking boots of the hardy Harriers fans who trekked 160 miles to Grays Athletic were a measure of how far they had come, so too was their team's disappointment at only leaving the league-leaders with a draw, writes Mat Kendrick.

But while the intrepid travellers endured a gruelling journey on foot to raise money for a good cause, their return trip by minibus must have been almost as arduous after seeing John Danby literally drop two points.

While the Harriers fund-raisers received generous applause and donations from the Recreation Ground crowd after completing the final leg of their seven-day adventure, the hosts' hospitality ended there as both teams of promotion hopefuls set about each other with gusto.

The clash might not have been an advert for free-flowing football, but it certainly contained the kind of competitiveness and commitment you would expect of the Conference.

Harriers burst out of the blocks and but for Ashley Bayes's intervention with Taiwo Atieno lurking, Gareth Sheldon's first minute raid could have resulted in them taking an early lead.

The on-loan Walsall striker also threatened minutes later when he latched onto a header from full debutant Wayne Graves, only to drag his shot wide, an error he was to repeat from two further openings after the break.

Indeed Atieno's best effort was with a trademark looping header which Bayes tipped over at full stretch from a Wayne Hatswell centre midway through the first half.

Other than those moments, Harriers were on the defensive with Grays growing in confidence as the half wore on. Danby twice had to be alert to deny Gary Hooper while impressive playmaker Stuart Thurgood blasted just over from distance and John Martin wasted a dangerous counter-attack with a poor cross.

After the break, however, it was Harriers who caused the problems with Atieno turning creator and Iyseden Christie showing that last week's winner against Canvey Island was no fluke.

Laurie Wilson was a driving influence in midfield after replacing the injured Martin O'Connor and it was he who set the ball rolling for the first goal on 48 minutes.

Wilson's pass released Sheldon down the left and his cross to the far post was headed down by Atieno, allowing Christie to volley in from close range at the back post.

Grays hit back on 53 minutes with an equaliser which had more than a hint of offside about it. Tony Battersby seemed to be beyond the Harriers back four when John Nutter played him in down the left while Hooper appeared to clip Hatswell's ankles before stroking the ball past Danby but the goal stood.

To their credit Kidderminster quickly collected themselves and Mark Jackson's acrobatic volley over from a corner showed that they still meant business.

That was confirmed on 63 minutes when Christie put them back in front with a similar strike to his first, scoring with another simple tap-in after Atieno flicked on Sheldon's long throw from the left.

Having taken his tally to three goals in two games -- or three goals in 14 months -- Christie clearly had the taste for goals and came close to his hat-trick with an ambitious angled drive from near the touchline which just fizzed over.

But Grays refused to go down without a fight and served notice of their intent when Hooper smacked a header against the post and substitute Aaron McLean swung wildly at a one-on-one after a pinpoint pass from Thurgood.

With Jackson and Daryl Burgess leading by example and throwing themselves at everything it appeared Harriers might just hold out to inflict Athletic's first defeat of the season.

But four minutes into stoppage time Danby took leave of his senses to throw Bertie Brayley's corner into his own net.