A DIRE February hit a new low for Kidderminster Harriers as they were dumped out of the Setanta Shield at Aggborough tonight.

Harriers have not won since January 19 - when they defeated Farsley Celtic 2-1 in the Blue Square Premier - and the Worcestershire Senior Cup is now their only hope of silverware.

Although sub Simon Russell pulled a goal back in the fifth-round shield clash, Rushden and Diamonds won through a Jon Challinor double and a Marcus Kelly free-kick.

Harriers forward Matthew Barnes-Homer was handed a rare start in place of Iyseden Christie, while Michael McGrath came into the midfield for Matthew Bailey and Paul Bignot replaced cup-tied left-back Alex Jeannin.

Harriers made a frenzied start with Barnes-Homer and strike partner Daryl Knights going close.

The hosts had an early scare when keeper Chris MacKenzie, guilty of an error in Saturday's 2-1 league defeat to Salisbury, spilled Challinor's shot but held on at the second attempt.

Harriers conceded an unfortunate opener on 24 minutes when Challinor slotted home David Brown's pass with both strikers looking offside in the build-up.

Mark Yates' side had calls for a penalty turned down soon after when their players claimed Phil Gulliver blocked the hard-working Knights' effort with his hand.

But Rushden made it two seven minutes before half-time through Kelly's curling free-kick following a foul by centre-half Mark Creighton.

Harriers looked dead and buried at the interval with no-one taking responsibility in front of goal despite neat approach play. Christie and Russell replaced McGrath and Dean Bennett at half-time but Rushden were on top with MacKenzie tipping over midfielder Andy Burgess' rising half-volley.

Russell made on impact on 73 minutes, though, by drilling home Russ Penn's looping pass to force Harriers back into the game.

However, they quickly wasted their good work when Challinor volleyed home a spectacular third goal from 20 yards.

Harriers: MacKenzie; Kenna, Creighton, Jones, Bignot; Bennett (Russell 46), Ferrell, Penn, McGrath (Christie 46); Barnes-Homer, Knights. Subs not used: Hurren, Bailey, Coleman.