GLENN Hoddle has tipped Kidderminster Harriers to bounce back to the Football League at the first attempt -- providing they can regularly repeat the display that tamed his Wolves side, writes Mat Kendrick.

The former England boss was full of praise for Stuart Watkiss's quickly-assembled squad, although he refused to read too much into the 2-1 defeat from a Wolves point of view.

"Credit to Kidderminster, they played better than us and they deserved to win, but they won't get three points for it or a cup scalp," said Hoddle.

"But if they keep playing like that they're going to have a great chance of coming back into the League."

Just as Hoddle was playing down the significance of a friendly defeat to a Wolves side containing half a dozen first teamers, so Watkiss was refusing to get carried away by Harriers' third successive pre-season win.

"It was a good workout for us and we're obviously pleased with the result," said the Harriers boss.

"But it's one of those games where you have to be careful not to get carried away.

"Obviously this is a pre-season game and the results aren't too vital.

"We're grateful for Glenn and his coaching staff for coming down, you can obviously see they're a quality side in how they kept and played the ball.

"That's where the result becomes a little false as we know that come the start of the season there won't be many teams in the Conference who like to keep the ball too much and instead are likely to be more direct."

While their manager was cautious to talk down their performance, the Harriers players let their feet do the talking with a display full of enterprise and endeavour.

Simon Russell it was who capped a lively personal performance with the opening goal on 20 minutes when he capitalised on a slip by Wolves keeper Paul Jones after Laurie Wilson crossed from the left.

The former Harriers stopper was subsequently barracked throughout by the away followers, but received a much warmer welcome from the Aggborough faithful.

Jones would go on to make up for that blunder with two superb second half saves, foiling Russell after he sped clear of the Wolves defence and acrobatically keeping out a curling Wilson free kick destined for the top corner.

There was nothing the Welsh international could do about the goal that proved to be the winner however -- a sublime lob from Iyseden Christie on 27 minutes.

After the disappointment of last season, Harriers fans will not be making bold predictions about Christie being their saviour, but the former Mansfield frontman did look leaner and meaner, albeit a few pounds overweight still, on Saturday afternoon.

And the exquisite touch he displayed to loft the ball over the head of Jones from 25 yards could cause plenty of problems for the Conference's more agricultural backlines.

Carl Cort -- one of a handful of household names lining up for the visitors, along with Jones, Kenny Miller, Colin Cameron, Rob Edwards, Kevin Cooper and George Ndah - pulled a goal back with a close range header seconds later -- but Harriers held out for a confidence-boosting victory.

Harriers: Danby, Evans, Hatswell (Burton 69), Jackson, Burgess, Fleming, Wilson, O'Connor (Hurran 60), Blackwood (Sheldon 57), Russell (Penn 78), Christie (Moss 74). Subs not used: Lewis, McPhee.

Wolves: Jones, Little, Riley, Edwards, Rafferty, Cameron (Davies 77), Olofinjana (Ndah 46), Clingan, Cooper, Cort (Cornes 65), Miller. Subs not used: Hennessey, Gobern, Ganea.

Attendance: 2,161.

Referee: M Fletcher (Worcestershire).