Harriers 1 Cambridge 0 - Aggborough

AN OWN goal by Cambridge captain Mark Peters was enough to settle a game that had `end-of-season encounter' written all over it in Harriers' favour.

Peters' bullet header past his own keeper from Jonny Harkness's 12th minute corner was the mid-table match's only piece of first-class finishing - albeit in the wrong net.

If Harriers started poorly and improved as they went on at Canvey Island on Good Friday, then they did exactly the opposite at home to the Us on Easter Monday.

Kidderminster burst out of the blocks and should have broken the deadlock after just 10 seconds had Luke Reynolds' scoring touch not deserted him following Lee Thompson's ball over the top.

Thompson, recalled to the side in place of Jon Newby, enjoyed one of his better performances in a Harriers shirt, popping up in some dangerous areas as a support striker just behind Reynolds.

The diminutive frontman came close with a dipping volley which was just too high, while his workrate and all round approach play were also impressive.

But when it comes to tireless hassling and harrying, Reynolds is the expert with the former Telford man running himself into the ground after a lack of training and two games in three days.

Reynolds might not have increased his impressive goals tally but he's surely attracted even more members to his growing fan club with the type of unselfish display which is expected to earn him his first professional contract from Mark Yates.

Harriers continued to press early on as they went in search of only their second `double' of the season - Woking are the only other side to be beaten home and away by the Aggborough men.

A dangerous free kick from Jonny Harkness caused problems for Cambridge and was bundled behind as the determined Gareth Sheldon loitered with intent.

And from the left-footed deadball specialist's subsequent corner, Cambridge skipper Peters rose highest to inexplicably plant the ball into his own net from six yards out.

Any Harriers fans expecting that to be the cue for a home goals rush, however, was sadly disappointed as Harriers retreated further and further back towards their own goal from then on.

Visibly tiring from the strains and stresses of the Bank Holiday double header, Yates's men faded, inviting their fellow former Football League opponents back into the game.

They survived a scare on 17 minutes when Simon Rea and keeper Dan Lewis were relieved to see Craig Westcarr poke wide of the post after neither of them took responsibility for stopping the United frontman.

In the second half, Rob Newman's men stepped up their search for an equaliser and created a string of half chances.

Jamie Guy dragged a decent opportunity wide of the post with Westcarr firing a deflected shot into Lewis's arms and Michael Morrison sending a low drive skidding inches off target.

The introduction of Fola Onibuje, the poor man's Paulo Wanchope, gave Cambridge a new lease of life as their 245-strong travelling army - one of the biggest and loudest away followings at Aggborough this season - cranked up the atmosphere.

The towering targetman caused panic in the Harriers defence when he outjumped Lewis, but his effort was hacked off the line and Guy poked the follow-up wide.

Onibuje then appeared to control the ball with his hand as he went one-on-one with the Kidderminster keeper, although justice was done when he smashed his shot wide.

The game almost came full circle when Peters popped up unmarked on the edge of the box, but the Cambridge captain's ambitious volley lacked the accuracy of his headed own goal and Harriers held on for their first home win in four attempts.