BACK to basics was the manager's pre-Morecambe motto - and it might just have saved him his job in the Harriers hot seat after this massive morale-booster.

It is symptomatic of the results-driven, success-today mentality of modern football that Watkiss's position was under threat before the clocks have even gone back.

But the boss's philosophy of doing the simple things right paid dividends as his Harriers players finally produced a decent performance in front of their own fans.

There was no magic formula as such, just a magic formation, and hopefully 4-4-2 is now here to stay after having the desired effect on Saturday.

ith all due respect to the Harriers squad, footballers at this level are uncomplicated beasts and if you can give each of the players a simple job to do, that's half the battle won.

Rather than chopping and changing - which in fairness to Watkiss was understandable as Kidderminster suffered a crisis of confidence - the time has come to keep a settled side, injuries and suspensions permitting.

Not only did the under-pressure boss get the system spot on on Saturday, he also picked the right personnel in the right positions.

Of course he was helped by the return to action of right hand man and talisman Martin O'Connor whose stabilising influence on the team was a major factor in them ending a run of three successive home defeats.

O'Connor's inclusion and an improved showing from Terry Fleming gave Simon Russell and Michael Blackwood licence to push forward from their roles as wide midfielders rather than out and out wingers, while the pacy duo also showed a determination to track back.

The only real surprise Watkiss sprung was to pair ginger winger Gareth Sheldon up front as an out and out attacker with top scorer Iyseden Christie - and fair play to the gaffer, it worked wonderfully.

Granted, Sheldon's first touch let him down at times and the former Scunthorpe and Exeter man still appears to be carrying a bit of timber, but there was no-doubtnig his match-winning contribution.

His all-important goal came on the stroke of half-time and led to he and his team-mates enjoying the rare luxury of being cheered rather than booed off at the interval.

Harriers were well worth their half time lead, playing with more tempo and than they have done at Aggborough all season.

Admittedly they lived dangerously at times, most notably when Jim Bentley was allowed three free headers from set-pieces, the third drawing a good save from John Danby.

But Harriers played with such purpose that the high-flying Shrimps deserved nothing from the game.

Sheldon's deadball delivery was superb, even if his colleagues did not make the most of it, while the man-of-the-match also came close from several half chances.

And his winning goal will surely do his confidence, and the club's confidence the world of good.

Despite Harriers attempting to play good football throughout the game, the only goal came from a route one approach as Christie bravely flicked on a Danby punt and Sheldon reacted quickest to rattle in a low drive from the edge of the area.

The margin of victory could have been greater had Russell been awarded a penalty when his marker David Perkins seemed to handle the ball in the third minute, while Christie struck the post when he should have scored midway through the second half.

But, for once, nobody at Kidderminster was complaining.