MARK Yates was full of praise for Kidderminster Harriers' battlers following a magical start to his managerial campaign.

The new Aggborough boss - who accepted the job last Thursday night - is off to an immediate flyer by masterminding Harriers' first away Conference victory since beating Gravesend 2-1 on September 24.

On-loan Johnny Mullins was the Harriers hero at the Kingfield Stadium, the Reading defender scoring his first goal of the season on 69 minutes.

Mullins netted by perfectly finishing Terry Fleming's corner.

Harriers required a tough, rearguard performance to oust Glenn Cockerill's men and Yates believes his side were worthy winners.

"Woking started brightly and had a fair few chances," said Yates. "We didn't start as bright as we perhaps should have, but that's sometimes the way things go when you're away from home.

"I thought we gradually crept more and more into the game as the first-half wore on and you have to say we had the best chance of that half with (Gareth) Sheldon after a great little bit of interplay.

"I knew we could kick on from that and fortunately so it proved. I think we ran out worthy winners in the end."

It was Harriers' first clean sheet for almost two months and Yates admits a tightening up at the back is important to improve the club's fortunes.

Yates added: "I came in and said to the boys that firstly we need to start keeping some clean sheets. I demanded that of them and every player out there has contributed to what we got.

"The back-four were terrific, as were the four lads in midfield and the two front lads. They all worked their socks off and they've perhaps now shown the way forward.

"They now know they have things to play for. We want to finish this season as high up the Conference table as possible."

Mullins' strike ended a run of six consecutive league defeats on the road for Harriers.

Against the run of play, Mullins met Fleming's corner and volleyed the winner with the outside of his right boot.

At the other end, Harriers goalkeeper John Danby superbly saved Craig McAllister's header, while Justin Richards shot an excellent opportunity wide.

Woking's best chance fell to Tom Hutchinson, but his shot was hacked off the goal-line.

HARRIERS: Danby, Jackson, Hatswell, Burgess, Mullins, Fleming, Blackwood, Sheldon (Russell 87), Pugh (Heslop 90), Christie, Penn. Subs not used: Flynn, Thompson, Lewis.

ATTENDANCE: 1,514