Saturday, November 16, 2002

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have been drawn away to Forest Green or Exeter City - if they beat Rushden & Diamonds in a first round replay at Nene Park later this month.

Harriers and the Diamonds drew 2-2 at Aggborough on Saturday while Forest Green drew 0-0 at home to Exeter City yesterday.

No date has been fixed for the Nene Park clash although it is expected to take place on Tuesday, November 26.

After Saturday's deadlock, Harriers manager Ian Britton said: "I've got mixed feelings about the result. We only played well for half the game, we're slowly becoming a '45 minute' team.

"We can't be chasing the game all the time. We're good enough to get back into the game, but we'll come up against a team that will not allow us to do it.

"The first half was a non event for us, but the second half shows that we're all about, pace, power and fitness. "

Rusden went ahead on the stroke of half time when Stuart Gray's free kick found unmarked Robert Duffy who cracked the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Harriers equalised on 58 minutes when Sam Shilton's cross found Gary Setchell at the far post and he knocked the ball into his own next despite not being under any pressure.

Rushden, however, regained the lead in the 71st minute when Paul Underwood crossed to enable Duffy to head home.

Kidderminster grabbed an equaliser in the 77th minute when Shilton's free kick was headed home by Broughton from 12 yards out.

Britton said: "A draw was a fair result. I've said from day one, it's all about us. The lads are disappointed because I've had to have a got at them again.

"Now we are starting to give goals away at the other end. Two bad goals. I'll take great pleasure in sorting that out again."

Britton admitted tnat Harriers missed John Melligan who has returned to Wolves and came as a 90th minute substitute for them in their Nationwide League Division One game at Coventry City on Saturday.

Britton said: "It's easy to say we were missing Melligan, but we certainly didn't second half. We can't really use the fact that he's missing as an excuse. Let's be honest, we've missed his goals as there were few chances in the game."

n Harriers have been drawn away to Brentford in the third round of the LDV Vans Trophy with the tie due to take place week commencing Monday, December 9.