TOOTHLESS Harriers produced an insipid performance to go down to basement boys Droylsden in Manchester.

Harriers were totally anaemic at The Bloods as they failed to threaten a defence which had conceded 10 goals in the previous two matches and had let in 72 so far in the Blue Square Premier this season.

Defeat means Harriers' hopes of breaking into the top five and securing a place in the play-offs are a million miles away from reality.

Manager Mark Yates handed new signing Alex Jeannin his debut at left back after the Frenchman had signed on loan until the end of the season from Oxford United, while Paul Bignot replaced the injured Jeff Kenna on the right side of the back four.

The manager had asked for a big response from his side after they had crashed out of the FA Trophy to Weymouth in mid-week but they could not find a response.

Harriers started slowly and they were punished for it when highly-motivated Droylsden took the lead in the 15th minute.

Striker Jody Banim ran at Harriers' defence and Jeannin backed off and allowed the stocky striker the space to power a shot past keeper Scott Bevan.

The visitors were lucky to survive a hectic five minutes as Droylsden searched for a second goal.

Mark Creighton came to the visitors' rescue when a sliding challenge dispossessed Steve Daly as he powered into the box.

Harriers lacked firepower throughout, with strikers James Constable and Iyseden Christie often isolated in attack.

The visitors' best chances of the half fell to the lively Jeannin, who tested keeper Paul Phillips with a low 20-yard shot.

He then directed a hanging volley just wide of the goals in the 40th minute.

Captain Stuart Whitehead had a header deflected over the bar in the second-half and then headed wide moments later when he was left unmarked in the penalty area.

Constable had Harriers' best chance of the game in the 78th minute when he shrugged off the defence on the edge of the box and fired in a low effort that Phillips saved.

Banim came closest to scoring again late on when he skipped past Creighton and hit a fierce shot that Bevan beat away.

At the final whistle, angry Harriers' fans voiced their disapproval after watching their team surrender.

Harriers: Bevan, Creighton, Whitehead, Russell (McGrath, 63), Constable, Blackwood (Smikle, 55), Ferrell, Bennett, Jeannin, Christie, Bignot (Barnes-Homer, 71).

Referee: Amy Rayner (Leicester).

Attendance: 629.