LACKLUSTRE Kidderminster Harriers started life after Matthew Barnes-Homer with a disappointing home defeat to AFC Wimbledon.

Former Harriers trialist Danny Kedwell’s 20th minute strike was difference, as the Aggborough side’s three-match unbeaten run in the Blue Square Premier came to an end.

The hosts lacked spark against a Wimbledon outfit that boasted one of the best away records in the division.

Harriers manager Mark Yates handed a debut to on-loan Kettering Town striker Damian Spencer, who replaced Barnes-Homer after he joined Luton Town last week.

Spencer had only played as a substitute against his new club for Kettering the previous week.

Spencer almost had the perfect start to his debut, when he sped down the left wing but his shot floated off target.

With Harriers’ new strike partnership taking time to gel, Wimbledon’s hitmen Luke Moore and Kedwell had already shown signs of worrying the home defence.

Kedwell left centre-back Gavin Caines for dead when he raced onto Ricky Wellard’s through pass, rounded keeper Dean Coleman and slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Spencer almost replied immediately when he met Daniel Andrews’ free-kick but he headed wide.

A good chance to level the scores fell to Brian Smikle in the 29th minute. Robbie Matthews rose high to nod the ball into the midfielder’s path but his low effort was straight at keeper Seb Brown.

Harriers were struggling for ideas but the away side continued to look dangerous even though Luke Moore limped off in the 44th minute. His replacement, John Main, delivered a cross from the left but Caines did enough to block Lewis Taylor’s diving header.

Liam Dolman hit the target three minutes into the second-half but Brown saved comfortably.

There were danger signs in the 52nd minute when Main lead a counter-attack but his 20-yard shot flew over the bar.

Yates made a double substitution in the 54th minute, bringing David McDermott on and giving a debut to Ryan Charles, who joined Harriers on-loan from Luton.

Harriers pushed for a leveller and won their two first corners of the game just over the hour mark but the away side looked dangerous on the counter-attack.

As a last throw of the dice, Yates put on striker Aaron Farrell for Dolman in the 82nd minute and he did well to get in a cross after coming on but his delivery was poor.