KIDDERMINSTER Harriers survived a scare but maintained their excellent home record after edging Salisbury in the Blue Square Premier at Aggborough.

The home side squandered a host of chances and were left thanking two own goals to secure victory.

Justin Richards made a return to the side after a two-game absence because of an eye injury.

His strike partner Matthew Barnes-Homer saw an early chance go begging when his dipping effort flew wide of a post.

Harriers, who have now won nine games on home soil in the league this season, opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Martin Brittain’s cross was bundled into his own goal by defender Jon Bass.

The hosts continued to dominate but could not take their chances. Richards saw keeper James Bittner dive at his feet after bursting into the box.

Barnes-Homer fired Harriers into a 2-0 lead in the 30th minute when he raced onto a goal-kick. He saw his first shot saved by the keeper but rifled the rebound into the back of the net.

Richards wasted a good chance when he raced onto Keith Lowe’s pass but paid the price for indecisiveness.

He dithered instead of either shooting early or passing to Barnes-Homer but Bittner smothered his shot.

Harriers were made to pay when Charles Griffin scored on the stroke of half-time.

The visitors had their tails up at the start of the second-half but Harriers went 3-1 ahead in the 55th minute, when substitute Scott Bartlett turned in Brian Smikle’s cross for another own goal.

Salisbury took the game to Harriers and keeper Adam Bartlett did well to reach Brian Dutton’s header.

Dutton, though, made it 3-2 in the 65th minute after an error by home captain Mark Creighton.

Harriers’ custodian then made two excellent saves to deny Robbie Sinclair and Sean Clohessy to ensure all three points.

Harriers: A Bartlett; Baker, Creighton, Martin Riley, Lowe, Smikle (Jones 90), Bennett, Penn, Brittain (McDermott 71), Richards (Beardsley 80), Barnes-Homer. Subs not used: Moore; Knights.

Salisbury: Bittner; Herring (Bond 89); Clohessy; Ademeno (Riddick 62); Dutton; Sinclair; Sangare; Jon Bass; Webb; Griffin; Robinson (S Bartlett 40). Subs not used: Clarke; Hill.

Referee: SJ Ross (Lincolnshire).

Attendance: 1,325.