KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' historic FA Youth Cup run ended at the fifth round stage after a brave 3-0 defeat at giants Nottingham Forest last night.

The difference between the two sides should obviously have been massive with Forest running one of the country's top academies and Harriers mainly a team of college part-timers.

But the visitors can be proud of the way they performed at The City Ground, scene of many a great European encounter in the good old days.

Forest, who included former Bayern Munich youngster and current first teamer Eugene Bopp, started the better side.

Harriers did not have the best preparations by arriving at the ground late due to heavy motorway traffic, putting the kick-off back by 15 minutes.

The home side's Ryan Jenkins shot wide and John Danby saved from Jones before Matt Bodkin opened the scoring on 16 minutes.

The forward moved into the penalty area and fired into the far corner of the net.

Harriers had threatened through Michael Glynn's long-range effort but a strong wind made life difficult.

Danby saved again from Jones and Bopp but Andy Haskins struck from 20 yards on 39 minutes to put Forest 2-0 ahead.

Harriers replaced injured left-back Phil Garner at the interval with Tom Wilmore and continued to come under pressure.

The in-form Danby denied Jones and Tom Groves, while Harriers gained possession without threatening keeper Andy Reid.

Forest completed the scoring five minutes from time when Danby parried Jay Birch's shot to Bodkin who tapped home.

Forest now meet Everton at home in the quarter-finals but Harriers' record run in the competition has delighted everyone at Aggborough.

FOREST: Reid, Biggins (Perch 89), Robertson, Haskins (Morgan 89), Dawson, Groves, Jenkins, Bopp, Jones (Webb 71), Bodkin, Birch. Subs not used: Peyton, Freyne.

HARRIERS: Danby, Lowar, Smallman, Khela, Garner (Wilmore 42); Bailey (Alman 82), Yates, Glynn (Fitter 60), Heath; Lewis, Carpenter. Sub not used: McHale.

ATTENDANCE: 734.