WEMBLEY is a great place to win, but a bad place to lose' was the quote from Mark Yates in his FA Trophy programme notes.

Unfortunately it was the latter part that rang true for the Harriers boss on Saturday as he saw his side surrender a two-goal half-time lead against their Conference rivals.

James Constable fired Kidderminster into dreamland with a brace inside five first-half minutes but Stevenage hit back through Mitchell Cole, substitute Craig Dobson and Steve Morison's 88th-minute winner.

Like the first round tie against Vauxhall Motors, which Harriers drew 4-4 after being 3-0 up, they failed to push on from a commanding interval advantage.

But, unlike that December day at Aggborough, there was nothing much wrong with this performance. Harriers were superb in the first-half, rising to the occasion with some fine attacking football, and might have gone in at the break with more than a two-goal cushion.

They were pretty good in the second-half as well, but found themselves caught between going for more and defending what they had as Stevenage grew in confidence. Even after conceding so late, Harriers almost forced extra-time when Andy White, a 75th-minute substitute for Iyseden Christie, stuck out a boot to direct Gavin Hurren's effort agonisingly wide.

More than 53,000 turned out for the first final at the new Wembley - easily a record for non-league's showpiece event - and they were treated to a thrilling match.

Once the early nerves were out of the way, Harriers went from strength to strength, unfazed by the defeaning roar of the crowd or the presence of the Sky Sports cameras.

Constable showed he was in the mood but blazed his first effort high and wide from the right side of the penalty area after good work from Simon Russell.

The excellent Russell Penn also fired narrowly wide after a mazy run and Michael Blackwood screwed an effort off target.

Constable then sent the Kidderminster end of Wembley into delirium on 32 minutes with a goal that owed much to the hard work of strike partner Christie.

Jeff Kenna, who also played at the old Wembley with Blackburn and Southampton, floated in a free-kick from the right and Christie worked his way into a shooting position.

His effort was blocked by goalkeeper Alan Julian but rebounded into Constable's chest and the former Walsall man made no mistake for his 15th goal of the season.

Harriers looked confident and their second five minutes later was all about Constable's composure. Christie was again the provider as he played a neat back-heel into Constable's path and the Harriers man held off two defenders to sprint clear and calmly despatch a shot low to Julian's right. Stevenage, who rarely troubled 'keeper Scott Bevan in the first period, came flying out of the traps after the break and were back in the game on 51 minutes.

Adam Miller's free-kick was headed on and Cole drilled a fine shot across Bevan into the far right-hand corner.

Marcio Santos Gaia headed Steve Guppy's corner inches wide and Penn forced Julian to hold on to a low drive as the game began to open up. Stevenage drew level on 74 minutes. John Nutter's punt upfield split the Harriers defence and substitute Dobson stretched to stab the ball beyond Bevan.

The Harriers 'keeper held on to Morison's near-post strike on 82 minutes but was powerless to stop him scoring the winner six minutes later.

After Barry Fuller had dispossessed Smikle and swept in a cross, Morison's initial shot was blocked by Bevan but Stevenage's top-scorer netted from close in at the second time of asking.

Harriers (4-4-2): Bevan, Kenna, Hurren, Creighton, Whitehead, Blackwood, Russell, Penn, Smikle (Reynolds 90), Christie (White 75), Constable. Subs not used: Taylor, Sedgemore, McGrath.

Stevenage (4-4-2): Julian, Fuller, Nutter, Oliver, Santos Gaia, Miller, Cole, Morison, Guppy (Dobson 64), Henry, Beard. Subs not used: Potter, Slabber, Nurse, McMahon.

Attendance: 53,262.

Bookings: Harriers: Penn, Hurren. Stevenage: Oliver, Fuller.

Referee: Christopher Foy.