A SIMON Russell howitzer proved to be the difference between Kidderminster Harriers and Crawley Town in the Nationwide Conference clash at Aggborough last night.

The diminutive winger's superb 25-yard drive into the top right-hand corner on 24 minutes was the only goal on a cold night, but Harriers did more than enough during the 90 minutes to deserve all three points.

The Kidderminster players will certainly know they've been in a game when the get up today, but for all Crawley's grit and determination they rarely threatened John Danby's goal.

Harriers' first attempt on goal came after eight minutes when David Woozley flattened Andy White on the edge of the box. Jonny Harkness whipped in a free-kick and forced a smart save from visiting 'keeper Phil Smith.

There was a sense of dj-vu on 15 minutes when White drew another foul from the Crawley defence. Harkness stepped up once more and bent a free-kick round the wall but Smith was equal to it again.

By this stage, Harriers were starting to dominate proceedings and it was no surprise when they took the lead. Gavin Hurren picked out Russell on the left flank. The winger then played a smart one-two with Lee Thompson to create space before unleashing a perfect shot beyond Smith's despairing dive.

The second-half was a much more sedate affair as Harriers seemed content to sit back and soak up whatever Crawley could throw at them.

White appeared to have settled the game on 69 minutes when he bundled another Harkness free-kick into the net. Referee Russell Fletcher had other ideas, however, and ruled out the 'goal' for hand ball.

Although the last 10 minutes were quite nervy for the Harriers fans, the visitors created very little in the way of scoring opportunities.

Harriers: Danby, Harkness, Os-borne, Hurren, Mullins, Sheldon (Smith, 64), Fleming, Sedgemore, Russell (Wilson, 87), White, Thompson.

Attendance: 1,302