CAMBRIDGE UNITED 0 HARRIERS 2

ANOTHER of Ian Britton's astute loan captures quickly marked his time at Kidderminster Harriers in style on Saturday.

Wes Morgan, playing only his third Football League game at Cambridge United, scored the second goal and gave a man mountain display at the back.

Britton's sterling efforts to bolster cash-strapped Harriers with loan signings can hardly be questioned though it is a worry to think these influential players will be gone next season.

One of those temporary additions, John Melligan, rewarded a professional team display at Cambridge with the opener, his impressive 11th goal of the season.

But it was a tremendous defensive showing that was the inspiration behind this eye-catching clean sheet at the free-scoring club, relegated from Division Two last season.

Morgan, borrowed from Nottingham Forest, was the solid rock of the defence but Dion Scott, Adie Smith, Craig Hinton and keeper Fraser Digby were all impressive.

Boss Britton reverted to a 4-5-1 formation with transfer-listed Ian Foster recalled on the right flank and Melligan supporting lone forward Andy Bishop in the absence of injured top scorer Bo Henriksen.

It certainly paid off as Harriers rarely looked in trouble with the 36-goal pairing of Dave Kitson and Omer Riza starved of service.

The visitors effectively killed their hosts off on the counter-attack and looked a good bet for the play-offs, based on a good Saturday afternoon's work.

Yet it was an uninspiring first half where Harriers carried out much of the donkey work to win the early battle.

Though Foster had a shot held by keeper Shaun Marshall inside the first minute, Britton's men wasted some good opportunities through poor crossing.

They exploited Cambridge's offside trap several times but were also frustrated on many more occasions.

Harriers survived a couple of dicey moments when defender Izzy Iriekpen prodded a close-range effort straight at Digby and then Smith blocked brilliantly from 21-goal Kitson.

But they gained control of the clash in the second period and looked capable of taking the points as the home side struggled for attacking ideas.

Cambridge escaped on 62 minutes when Bishop burst through onto a Sam Shilton hook-on but his shot was helped past the post by Marshall.

However, on 66 minutes, Bishop was causing more problems with the ball eventually falling for Melligan to head over the stranded keeper from just inside the box.

They wrapped up the win seven minutes later when Morgan attacked Sean Flynn's left-wing free-kick and planted a header over the stagnant Marshall.

Harriers' travelling army of 259 watched with delight as their team easily held on for a surprisingly comfortable third double of the season over a side so impressive in the first clash at Aggborough.

CAMBRIDGE: Marshall; Goodhind, Iriekpen, Angus, Murray; Guttridge, Nacca (Youngs 65), Fleming, Newey; Kitson, Riza (Chillingworth 74). Subs not used: Wanless, Brennan, Theobald.

HARRIERS: Digby 7; Smith 8, MORGAN 9, Scott 8, Hinton 8; Foster 7, Williams 7, Flynn 7, Shilton 6; Melligan 7 (Parrish 88); Bishop 7 (Broughton 81). Subs not used: Brock, Stamps, Ayres.

ATTENDANCE: 3,705.

SHOTS ON: Cambridge 1, Harriers 4.

SHOTS OFF: Cambridge 4, Harriers 2.

CORNERS: Cambridge 9, Harriers 6.

GOALS: Melligan 66, Morgan 73.

YELLOW CARDS: Cambridge 1 (Goodhind), Harriers 2 (Flynn, Smith).

SHUTTLE STAR MAN: Wes Morgan. The big centre-back looked rock solid throughout in an excellent defensive display from Harriers. Morgan capped his best performance so far with a fine headed goal.