Cambridge 0
Harriers 3

MATTHEW Barnes-Homer's brace ensured Harriers recorded their first back-to-back wins in the Blue Square Premier this season as they got the better of Cambridge United on Saturday.

Harriers made a mockery of their previous poor away record in the league by punishing fitful Cambridge's defensive lapses.

The result was even more impressive as this was Harriers' fourth game in seven days.

Manager Mark Yates made two changes from the side which defeated Crawley 4-0 in the league on Thursday night.

Rookie goalkeeper Dean Coleman was handed his first league start in six months after first choice shot-stopper Chris MacKenzie suffered a thigh tear on Thursday.

Right-back Paul Bignot replaced the experienced Jeff Kenna, which meant striker Darryl Knights started against his former side.

After a shaky start Harriers grew in confidence on a windy day in Cambridgeshire and took the lead in the 26th minute.

Barnes-Homer raced onto Christie's cushioned header and as defender Joshua Coulson backed off and on-loan Reading keeper Alex McCarthy half heartedly came out of his area, the striker slotted the ball into the back of the net.

While the hosts saw a lot of the ball they were stifled by the visitor's well-drilled back-four of Paul Bignot, Mark Creighton, Gavin Hurren and Alex Jeannin.

Coulson had a goal ruled out and was also denied late in the first half by Coleman, who dived to his left to save the defender's low 20-yard shot.

In the second half tiring Harriers were put under increasing pressure but Courtney Pitt and Magno Vieira shot wide.

Yates brought on Brian Smikle and Andy Ferrell to freshen up his tiring side and it had a profound effect on the game.

Vieira wasted a good chance when he slipped on the sandy pitch in the area after a good cross by Wayne Hatswell.

The speedy Smikle caught defender Mark Peters dozing on the edge of the box and set up Barnes-Homer for his second goal in the 67th minute.

The hosts pushed for a goal but were reduced to long range efforts, with Lee Boylan heading over and Rob Wolleaston missing a host of chances.

Smikle caught out Peters again in the 85th minute and was felled in the box by the defender, which allowed Christie to slot the penalty to McCarthy's left and secure all three points.

Harriers: Coleman 7; Hurren 7; Creighton 7; Russell 7 (Smikle, 55, 8); Penn 7; Bignot 7; Bennett 7; BARNES-HOMER 9 (McGrath, 70); Jeannin 6; Christie 6; Knights 6 (Ferrell, 55, 6).

Cambridge: McCarthy; Reed; Peters; Wolleaston; Pitt; Jeffrey (Beesley, 74); Carden; Morrison; Coulson; Hatswell; Vieira (Boylan, 62).

Referee: Andrew Halliday. Attendance: 3,999