A BLISTERING second-half performance from Kidderminster Harriers saw them ease through to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy after beating Halifax Town 3-1 at Aggborough.

The first half belonged almost entirely to Halifax and they perhaps should have been in front by more than just one goal at the interval.

The visitors' Gus Uhlenbeek and Danny Forrest had good early chances with the former seeing his powerful header from the edge of the box held by Harriers 'keeper Scott Bevan.

The hosts struggled to create chances in the first period. Their most notable effort came from James Constable, who stabbed wide through a crowd of players in the area.

In the 37th minute, Halifax centre-half Neal Trotman brought Constable down in the penalty area only for referee Gary Lewis to wave away Harriers' appeals.

Lewis Killeen then wasted a clear-cut opportunity, blazing over unchallenged after Forrest's pull-back.

Tom Kearney saw a shot held by Bevan four minutes before the break, but on the stroke of half time it was his corner that Trotman headed home.

Following a half-time talking to, the hosts came out of the blocks quickly in the second-half.

And within six minutes of the re-start they were level as Michael Blackwood's stinging volley was palmed away by Halifax 'keeper Craig Mawson. However, Constable was following up and he smashed the rebound into the roof of the net.

Two minutes later, Bevan saved well with his legs to deny Forrest.

Soon afterwards, Simon Russell picked out Gavin Hurren, whose downward header just made it into the net despite Mawson's best efforts.

Halifax applied pressure for the next quarter of an hour but apart from a weak Uhlenbeek effort and a penalty claim from Matt Doughty, they had little to show for it.

Harriers made sure of their place in the semi-final in injury time when Russ Penn's speculative 35-yard drive beat Mawson.

Harriers: Bevan, Kenna, Harkness, Hurren, Creighton, Whitehead, Hay (Christie 74), Blackwood, Russell, Penn, Constable (Sedgemore 90). Subs Not Used: White, Taylor, Smikle.

Attendance: 1,580.