BOSS Mark Yates has challenged Kidderminster Harriers to overcome their fear of playing at home as league attendances at Aggborough plunged to their lowest point in more than seven years.

Play-off chasing Stevenage are the next visitors out to make the most of Harriers' recent home hoodoo on Saturday.

Yates thought his side had turned a corner after last weekend's morale-boosting derby win away at high-flying Hereford.

But that victory was sandwiched in between two home hammerings against Aldershot and Grays Athletic where Harriers conceded nine goals in two games.

The second setback - Tuesday's 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Grays - was the heaviest league defeat in recent memory.

The match attracted just 1,220 supporters through the turnstiles, the lowest home gate for a league fixture since, before Harriers' made it to the Football League.

"We look scared to play at Aggborough," admitted Yates.

"I don't know what it's down to but I've got to find it out.

"If you can't play in front of 1,200 people then you've got problems."

Other than Luke Reynolds, who was missing with a slight knock, Yates kept faith with the team that won at Hereford in the 5-0 drubbing against Grays.

"We prepared the same way and we were pretty much the same bunch of players - maybe Luke Reynolds was the difference.

"But I can't see how a 1-0 win at Hereford can turn into a 5-0 defeat to Grays because one player is unavailable."

Yates has warned his players that they will be in for another hiding if they put in a repeat performance against play-off hopefuls Stevenage on Saturday.

"Stevenage are a big strong side and if we put in a performance like that we're going to get beaten by five again," he said.

"They know my feelings but I've got to make sure they're up again in time for Saturday."

Yates, who has played reserve team football for Burnley this season, insisted he could do a better job than some of his playes did in midweek.

"I could go out there and do that," he said.

"I'm not going to criticise individuals but as a team we were poor.

"We've got to be better, we've got to be miles better and we've got to give the fans something to shout about."

The angry manager admitted the players' jobs - and his own position - would be on the line if their home form did not improve.

"That performance gives me pointers to next season," he said.

"On the back of that performance they're playing around with my future.

"Defeats like that at home, two on the spin, are not good for me."

Meanwhile, Harriers have parted company with midfielder Laurie Wilson by mutual consent.

The former Sheffield Wednesday youngster joined the club from Burton last summer after impressing on trial.

But the son of MK Dons manager Danny Wilson has failed to establish himself in Yates's first team plans.

After Saturday's game, Harriers have just two more fixtures at Aggborough, hosting Cambridge on Easter Monday and tackling champions elect Accrington on the last day of the season.

l Harriers reports - Page 94