KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Mark Yates says that he could not stand in the way of star striker James Constable and keeper Scott Bevan in joining League Two side Shrewsbury Town on transfer deadline day.

The pair joined last season's play-off finalists minutes before the window slammed shut last night for undisclosed fees in what was a busy day of wheeling and dealing at Aggborough.

Yates managed to bring in four players, striker Darryl Knights, midfielder Matt Bailey, defender Luke Jones and keeper Chris MacKenzie, while full back Michael Blackwood and skipper Stuart Whitehead followed the New Meadow-bound pair out the exit door.

But despite losing four of his experienced players the Harriers boss is delighted with the way things went last night.

"Both James and Scott knew that they were attracting interest from a Football League club and they both expressed a desire to play there," Yates explained. "Had we been up among the challengers there would have been no way that I would have let them go, but we are 13th in the table so I could not stand in their way.

"I wish them all the best because they have both been great for us.

"In the case of Stuart leaving it was a matter of him wanting security. He asked a while back if there was going to be anything for him next season and he could still be here in a couple of months and I probably still wouldn't have been able to answer that.

"Telford contacted me about Stuart and they have offered him a longer deal so it is security for his young family.

"With Michael Blackwood, maybe he has been here too long and he needed to freshen up his game."

And while four big names players left Harriers yesterday, Yates says that by bringing in youngsters to replace them is not a risk.

Knights, a 19-year-old striker, has signed to the end of the season from League One side Yeovil Town and is a former England Under 16 and 17 international and spent time on loan at Cambridge United earlier in the season.

Bailey joins from Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers on a month's loan deal and is a 19-year-old midfielder who has come up through the ranks at Molineux.

Twenty-year-old Jones, a former Blackburn Rovers trainee, joins from Shrewsbury again for an initial month loan deal. The defender was due to play at the new Wembley in the League Two play-off final for the Shrews last May, but he got injured in the pre-match warm-up.

Harriers' fans will know all about MacKenzie after the experienced keeper spent an impressive spell on loan at Aggborough earlier in the campaign. The former Chester City custodian has made a permanent switch from the New Meadow and has signed a contract until the end of the season.

"People may think by letting some of my experienced players go and bringing in youngster that it is a bit of a risk - I don't," Yates said.

"Look at where we are in the table. We haven't achieved anything with them.

"I'm looking forward to working with the young lads they will bring us a fresh energy. They all have ability and I'm excited to have them on board."