DEFENDER Duane Courtney bagged Harriers’ first goal as they ended their four-game losing run against Kettering in emphatic fashion at Rockingham Road.

The right-back got the ball rolling in the second-half with his first goal the club, before Matthew Barnes-Homer made sure of all three points with a fine strike late on. Both goals came after Kettering midfielder Simon Heslop, who used to play for Kidderminster, had been sent off for two bookable offences.

However, it was midfielder David McDermott who had the biggest impact on the game. The former Walsall man had to sit on the bench as manager Mark Yates opted to hand a start to Chris McPhee, who was back after a three-match suspension.

But McDermott’s introduction at half-time gave Harriers extra impetus after they had been just shaded by the hosts before the break.

Harriers started the game pomisingly and Barnes-Homer saw a shot deflected wide off Poppies skipper Ian Roper early on. He had an even better chance to open the scoring minutes later after a slick move.

Brian Smikle evaded three Kettering players and slipped the ball to the hitman, who fired a first-time effort over the bar.

Kettering started to take control of the game as the first-half wore on and Harriers were rescued twice by the woodwork. In-form striker Moses Ashikodi, who had already came close with an overhead kick, had sped into the box and saw his cross-shot hit the bar.

Heslop, who had picked up a yellow card for a foul on Dean Bennett, then came even closer when he raced onto substitute Jean-Paul Marna’s clever pass and hit a firm effort that hit the underside of the bar and bounced out to safety.

Defender John Dempster could have fired the home side ahead on the stroke of half-time but he headed over the bar.

The introduction of McDermott for Darryl Knights at the start of the second-half tipped the balance in Harriers’ favour.

Centre-back Gavin Caines came close with a 30-yard thunderbolt but Kettering’s new player/manager Lee Harper, somehow clawed the ball away as it arrowed towards the top corner.

Another good chance went begging when Smikle’s astute header rolled dangerously across the face of goal.

Kettering were reduced to 10 men when Heslop was shown a second yellow for a foul on Martin Riley.

Harriers took advantage in the 70th minute, when McDermott slipped the ball to Courtney on the right and he fired a fine effort past the keeper.

As the home side pushed for a leveller, Harriers hit them on the break. It was one such move from a Kettering corner that led to the visitors’ second goal. McDermott fired in a cross from the right and Barnes-Homer swept a fine shot beyond Harper, who was in charge for the first time since manager Mark Cooper joined Peterborough United.

Kettering’s manager ensured Harriers could not increase their lead late on, making a fine double block to deny Smikle and Bennett.

Harriers: Coleman, Courtney, Caines, Riley, McPhee, Bennett (Hayward, 90), Barnes-Homer (Farrell, 90), Knights (McDermott, 46), Smikle, Matthews, Andrew. Not used: Singh, Dolman.

Referee: Mark Brown.

Attendance: 1,348.