KIDDERMINSTER Harriers complete their pre-season friendlies this weekend ahead of the National League North opener at Darlington on August 10.

Phil Brown's side head into Saturday's home game with a young Stoke City XI (2pm) off the back of an impressive warm-up win over League Two side Newport County.

Harriers deservedly won 2-0 at Aggborough after keeping visiting keeper Jacob Carney busy with an improved attacking show.

Forward Amari Morgan-Smith went close in the second minute with a bullet header at a corner which was punched clear by Carney.

Caleb Richards got denied on five minutes before Maliq Cadogan was thwarted soon after as he tried to chip Carney from distance.

Cadogan tried the low and hard approach four minutes later but still met with similar resistance before the deadlock was broken from the penalty spot.

Ashley Hemmings did the honours after Zak Brown was fouled inside the area.

Close to the half-hour mark Morgan-Smith forced a good save from Carney who then denied defender Alex Penny.

Keeper Christian Dibble held on to a Newport effort a couple of minutes later with his only save of the half before the visitors struck wide through Michael Spellman.

Hemmings and Maz Kouhyar went close for Harriers early in the second period before just after the hour the Reds were 2-0 up.

A trialist drove through a crowd of bodies from 20 yards to find the bottom corner.

A fine save from Dibble prevented an immediate Newport reply after a loose Harriers pass.

But Morgan-Smith almost added a third only for the County shot-stopper to produce another fine intervention as the heavens opened to soak Aggborough.

Harriers had previously picked up a 1-0 win courtesy of a sharp and organised pre-season display at AFC Telford.

Boss Phil Brown said of last week's victory in Shropshire: “We dominated the game and created some great chances and opportunities but have put the ball in the back of the net only once which is the disappointing part.

“But it’s still that winning mentality and it’s a nice feeling. I’m delighted with the progress we’ve made in a short space of time on the training ground and the players we’ve had."

Joe Foulkes went close before Harriers went ahead when the defender headed in a dangerous corner from Kouhyar.

Foulkes, Zak Brown and Hemmings all went close to scoring a second while Dibble tipped over at the other end.