HARRIERS 2 SCARBOROUGH 1

ANOTHER hectic week in the Kidderminster Harriers soap opera should not detract from the fact that new boss Mark Yates has made a sold start to life in the Aggborough dugout.

While transfer speculation continues to mount about Iyseden Christie and Mark Jackson and the suspension of Jim Conway dominates proceedings behind the scenes, Harriers are ticking along quite nicely in the league, thank you very much.

From a style point of view Harriers' brand of football under the new gaffer has not differed massively from what was served up earlier in the season.

But all of a sudden, Kidderminster seem to have discovered a new resoluteness.

It was quite apt that two players from the back should have secured back to back Conference wins for the first time since September - because the defence have been the mainstays of the Mark Yates resolution.

It was fitting that Mark Jackson and Johnny Mullins should steal the limelight with the goals that sank Scarborough because they have been immense at the other end in recent weeks.

And while frustrated fans can still continue to criticise Kidderminster as an attacking force, defensively they are laying down a solid platform to build upon.

Yates's first signing, Jonny Harkness has also fitted in well as a replacement for Rushden-bound Wayne Hatswell and with Mullins on the opposite flank it is refreshing to see Harriers with genuine pace in the full back berths.

Having said that, Harriers flattered to deceive before the break and might have been leaving the field to an unfriendly reception had Jackson not struck on the stroke of half-time.

The work-rate of Yates's men could not be faulted and although Gareth Sheldon's hassling and harrying epitomised their desire, the makeshift striker's poor end product also summed up his side's lack of cutting edge.

The former Exeter wide man did warm Leigh Walker's hands with a volleyed effort straight at the Scarborough stopper, while Christie sent a curler spinning across the goalmouth.

Harkness came with a reputation for having a sweet left foot and lived up to his billing with some dangerous deliveries.

One teasing set-piece eluded the stretch of Jackson by a matter of millimetres but the skipper did not have to wait much longer to pounce on a Harkness free kick.

This time the former Walsall defender's routine strike from the edge of the box was fumbled by Walker and Jackson, who continues to be linked with a move to York, rammed home the rebound.

Scarborough for their part seemed steadier than they had done in their previous visit - which isn't saying much - but even so the most they could muster was a close range Chris Hughes shot which was blocked by John Danby.

Harriers were much better after the break and Michael Blackwood, who had earlier urged his team-mates to shoot on sight, heeded his own advice with a swerving pile-driver which somehow bounced to safety after shaking the inside of the post.

It was the two Jonnys - Harkness and Mullins - who combined for the all important goal with the latter forcing the ball in after Christie's shot was cleared from another measured Harkness free kick.

At that stage Kidderminster were threatening a repeat of the 4-0 thumping they gave the Seadogs in the FA Trophy a month earlier.

But a mistake by Danby, who is still struggling to recapture his form of old, let the visitors back in with a poor piece of goalkeeping.

Instead of tipping over a well-struck shot from Lee Fowler he contrived to punch it straight into the path of David McNiven who gratefully accepted the gift to tuck in a simple six-yard strike.

That sparked a late onslaught from Neil Redfearn's men, but true to form the Harriers defence held firm.