Express & Star

Kidderminster Harriers manager Mark Yates was again left to reflect on what might have been as his team extended their away league form to no win in eight games as Stevenage Borough maintained their push for a play off place.

The Harriers boss was forced to reshuffle his pack when a late afternoon call from Shrewsbury Town meant the withdrawal of on loan centre back Luke Jones from the starting line up.

“I received a call from Shrewsbury requesting the return of Luke (Jones), we could have said we would release him in the morning as there is a 24 hour recall, but we acted professionally and agreed to their demands,” said Yates.

Gavin Hurren made his first start for the side since the defeat at Altrincham alongside Mark Creighton and all seemed well until 15 minutes into the game, Steve Morison dispossessed Hurren before racing 30 yards and clinically finishing with a low drive past the advancing Chris MacKenzie.

“I felt we should have taken something from the game but as so often this season we made crucial mistakes and gave away goals to the opposition,” bemoaned Yates.

“But we played some good football and deservedly got back on level terms. One thing we didn’t do, once we levelled, was take the game away from Stevenage.

“We allowed them back in and failed to get in a challenge for the second goal which took a deflection past our keeper.”

Harriers came out after the restart in more determined mood, the lively Simon Russell producing a series of centres that tested the Stevenage rearguard.

On 52 minutes, Harriers were level as  Iyseden Christie used his strength to poke the ball past the committed Alan Julian.

However, with 18 minutes left, Gavin  Grant’s  cross-cum-shot deflected off Creighton and into the Harriers net with MacKenzie anticipating the cross.