KIDDERMINSTER Harriers leapt six places in the Blue Square Premier table to 10th with victory over Torquay tonight.

Striker Matthew Barnes-Homer picked a great time to score his third goal of the season, swooping just before half-time for what turned out to be the winner.

The three points ensured Harriers remain unbeaten at home with three successes in a row and an opening-day draw.

Mark Yates’ men, who visit lowly Grays Athletic on Sunday, seem to have turned the corner after taking four league games to register their first triumph.

Tonight, a mistake by Harriers’ on-loan left-back Lee Baker gave Wayne Carlisle an early chance but the Torquay midfielder’s effort flashed across the goal.

The hosts defended a flurry of Torquay free-kicks before showers hit Aggborough, creating awful conditions.

But Harriers went close on 35 minutes when set-piece specialist Martin Brittain whipped in a free-kick which top-scorer Justin Richards headed downwards only for keeper Michael Poke to make a comfortable save.

Barnes-Homer forced another save from Poke after combining with Brian Smikle before giving Harriers the lead on 43 minutes.

Brittain powered down the right onto Russ Penn’s pass, rode a challenge by Lee Mansell and delivered a low, bending cross that the late-arriving Barnes-Homer tapped into the back of the net.

Harriers started the second period strongly with Penn and Barnes-Homer seeing shots blocked as the home side played some good football.

They lost influential midfielder Andy Ferrell on 76 minutes with a head injury to be replaced by Dean Bennett.

Harriers survived a few late scares, including keeper Adam Bartlett’s save after Mansell squirmed a shot through a crowd of players.

Harriers: Bartlett; Lowe, Creighton, Jones, Baker; Brittain (McDermott 90), Penn, Ferrell (Bennett 76), Smikle; Barnes-Homer, Richards. Subs not used: Coleman, Knights, McGrath.

Attendance: 1,345.