Captain Amari Morgan-Smith has issued a warning for Harriers to keep their heads up following Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Buxton in National League North.

Morgan-Smith was on target with his seventh goal of the season at Aggborough Stadium but couldn’t help the side to what would’ve been an important home win.

Phil Brown’s charges were twice in front against the in-form Bucks, but were pegged back on each occasion as the two sides clashed for the third time this season.

Despite the disappointment, Morgan-Smith was adamant Harriers had to banish Saturday’s disappointment that left them feeling as though they’d suffered defeat, with a trip to high-flying Curzon Ashton swiftly approaching in midweek.

“We’re flat in the changing room because it does feel like a defeat,” the veteran striker explained.

“Being on top for the majority of the game, it was a game of two halves, and I’ve said in there, if we’re going to do something this season, we’ve got to put those teams to bed, especially when we’re on top.

“It feels like a defeat, but we can’t dwell too much because we’ve got another game on Wednesday… we’ve got to try and stay as positive as we can.”

Brown made one enforced change to his side for the Buxton tie, the suspended Joe Foulkes left in the stands as Maliq Cadogan stepped in to replace him.

Harriers dominated the first half, Maz Kouhyar creating most of the early chances and eventually giving his team the breakthrough on 36 minutes, finishing from a tight angle to net a Caleb Richards cross.

The home side went close to a second goal when Morgan-Smith nodded wide four minutes later and, on the stroke of the interval, David Davis almost netted his second of the season in sensational style, twice denied by visiting stopper True Grant with a 20-yard thunderbolt following by a firm, low drive.

In perhaps a concerning recurring theme, Harriers saw their chance creation in the first half falter somewhat, Buxton equalising shortly after the hour when Josh Williams’ low cross was left to roll across the six-yard box to the far post where Connor Kirby was able to slam it home unmarked.

Parity wasn’t in place for long as, on 68 minutes, Morgan-Smith was pulled down inside the area to the award of a penalty that he duly stepped up to power beyond the dive of Grant to keep up his superb scoring form for the term.

Reece Devine fired off target eight minutes later, before Buxton substitute Diego De Girolamo superbly fired his side back level. Harriers had been unable to decisively clear their lines, and the Italian hit man punished them with incredibly accuracy, chesting the ball down and turning in one movement to power the ball beyond Christian Dibble from 18 yards.

This time, Harriers couldn’t reestablish their lead but, per Morgan-Smith’s warning, any downbeat feelings will need to be pushed to one side with early pace-setters Curzon next up on Wednesday (7:45pm.)