KIDDERMINSTER Harriers endured a frustrating start to their Blue Square Premier campaign when they were held by newly promoted Lewes at Aggborough.

Striker Justin Richards had fired the hosts into a lead but an unfortunatle own goal by Dean Bennett ensured the Sussex side’s first ever point in non-league football’s top flight.

Manager Mark Yates handed goalkeeper Adam Bartlett and full-backs Mike Bowler and Lee Baker their league debuts.

The hosts started brightly with Baker and Bowler making lightening quick raids down the flanks.

The first chance of the game fell to Bowler but he directed Andy Ferrell’s cross over the bar.

Harriers were in total control and turned up the pressure with three corners in a row, which forced Lewes’ defence to crack.

Richards made the breakthrough in the 22nd minute. Ferrell fired in a low 20-yard shot that came off Mark Creighton and the striker stuck out a leg to prod the ball home.

Harriers were eager to grab a second goal but an error by keeper Bartlett handed the visitors a golden chance in the 28th minute.

Bartlett missed Seb Wallis-Taylor’s ball in but striker James Fraser shot across the open goal rather than into it.

The home keeper made up for his earlier error with a fine point-blank save to deny Michael Standing in the 36th minute.

Harriers looked set to go into half-time with a deserved lead until a slice of bad fortune allowed Lewes back into the game.

Bennett tried to cut out Matt Geard’s right-wing cross but steered it beyond Bartlett. Stunned Harriers pushed for a winner in the second-half and Richards’ firm header was tipped away brilliantly by keeper Rikki Banks.

Richards fired over the bar and Russ Penn saw a low 30-yard effort fly wide of the post as the hosts turned up the heat.

The visitors also had a chance to take all three points, when Scott Taylor took advantage of an error by Creighton, only to shoot at Bartlett.

Harriers: Bartlett 8*; Baker 7; Ferrell 7; Creighton 6; Jones 6; Russell 5(Barnes-Homer, 56, 6) ; Knights 6 (McDermott, 80); Penn 6; Richards 7; Bennett 6; Bowler 7 (Brittain, 69).
Referee: Peter Wright.
Attendance: 1,503.