JUSTIN Richards’ first half penalty was enough to see off goal-shy Rushden at Nene Park and catapult Kidderminster Harriers into the Blue Square Premier’s promotion play-off spots.

Harriers produced a dominant display in the first-half and could have notched up a cricket score if they had taken their chances.

The away side then professionally stifled Diamonds after the break and comfortablly held onto the three points.

Victory ensured that the Aggb-orough side rose two places to fourth place and back into the play-off reckoning.

Richards could have fired his side into the lead in the opening minute, after Matthew Barnes-Homer beat keeper Dale Roberts to an aerial challenge, but the forward saw his shot blocked by Chris Hope.

Harriers’ top-scorer could have bagged a hat-trick but poor finishing and fine goalkeeping frustrated him in the first 45 minutes.

The forward saw a header tipped away by Roberts, who then kept out two fine shots by the Harriers hitman.

Rushden played their part in an open game and Daryl Clare and Michael Corcoran were off target with headers.

The breakthrough came for the away side in the 40th minute when defender Curtis Osano handballed Brian Smikle’s cross.

Richards rifled the spot-kick to the left of Roberts, who guessed the right way but could not prevent the ball from nestling in the back of the net.

Harriers defended expertly in the second-half and shut out Rushden, who struggled to open up the away side.

Adam Bartlett tipped over Rob Wolleaston’s swirling cross-shot in the 50th minute.

Michael Rankine volleyed over the bar, while Lee Tomlin and Clare shot wide.

Darryl Knights did well to manufacture a chance for himself after he came on as a substitute, but shot just wide from the edge of the box.

Hope wasted a final chance late on when he headed wide.

However, at the end, Harriers’ 235 fans serenaded their team to victory.

Harriers: Bartlett; Baker, Creighton, Riley, Lowe, Smikle, Ferrell, Penn (Knights 82), Brittain (Bennett 69), Richards, Barnes-Homer (Jones 90). Subs not used: Moore, Coleman Rushden: Dale, Osano, Hope, Woodhouse, Clare, Rankine, Moloney, Wolleaston, Boden (Burgess 62), Kelly (Tomlin 69), Corcoran (Phillips 80). Subs not used: Phillips, Fortune.