Stourbridge 2 Harriers 1 - Report and pictures
Stourbridge defeated Kidderminster Harriers for the second time this season after stirring second-half comeback.
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Goalkeeper Chris Price's error, which gifted Gurjit Singh the opener, looked to have put Harriers in control at the War Memorial Ground.
But two goals in as many minutes from Chris Lait and Dan Scarr turned the FA Trophy first round on its head.
A miserable afternoon for Harriers then got worse when Dino Fazlic was shown a straight red card, for a challenge on Tom Tonks.
It was a moment which epitomised a dreadful final quarter for the visitors, as they threw away a position of control.
Stourbridge (4-4-2): Price, Green, Scarr, Knight, Smikle, Dodd, Billingham, Tonks, Lait, Richards, Hawley (Clark 90).
Subs not used: Canavan, Harris, Wright, McPike.
Kidderminster Harriers: Snedker, Hodgkiss, Langmead, Howkins, Francis-Angol, McQuilkin (Jones 75), Fazlic, Maxwell, Whitfield, Barnes-Homer (Taylor 75), Singh.
Subs not used: Rowe-Turner, Young, Brown.[/breakout]
They surrendered to another embarrassing defeat to their rivals, against whom they were beaten 3-0 in the FA Cup back in October.
While their performance was much improved from the one submitted on that day, this defeat will arguably hurt more, such was the stunning manner of their late collapse.
For Stourbridge and their manager Gary Hackett, the emotions could not be more contrasting after another famous cup win.
They were forced into three changes from the team which lost to Eastleigh in the FA Cup the previous weekend.
Chris Knight replaced suspended skipper Stuart Pierpoint in the centre of defence, with Ben Billingham coming in for the injured Leon Broadhurst.
There was also a change in goal, as Price got the chance to impress in place of regular custodian Lewis Solly, the latter another injury absentee.
Harriers, meanwhile, made just one change, with on loan striker Matthew Barnes-Homer returned to the side and Jordan Jones dropping to the bench.
Head coach Dave Hockaday's starting line-up included six of the team which started the cup defeat.
The visitors began with far more purpose than they had that day, with Ben Whitfield and Fazlic seeing shots blocked, while Singh sent a 25-yard effort over the bar.
For Stourbridge, Karl Hawley missed with an acrobatic attempt after a powerful run by Matt Dodd, while Lait shot straight at Harriers goalkeeper Dean Snedker from distance.
Clear chances were at a premium and Kyle Howkins should have done better when presented with a good one just before the half hour mark.
But having met Whitfield's corner six yard out, he could only head the ball into the ground for Price to claim on the bounce. The hosts improved as half-time approach, with Lait seeing a shot deflected wide.
The home side also saw two appeals for a penalty waved away when first Dodd and then Hawley tumbled in quick succession.
The latter then drilled a shot over the bar from just outside the box in the last action of the half.
Stour had the benefit of playing with a fierce wind in the second half but the best chance of the game so far fell to Harriers within five minutes of the restart.
Green undersold a backpass and Ben Whitfield raced clear, only to be denied by the legs of Price.
Whitfield had another opening less than a minute later, but drove straight at the goalkeeper as the home defence parted in front of him.
Chances were starting to arrive at both ends and Justin Richards missed Stour's best chance to date when he nodded Billingham's cross over from six yards out.
Moments later, Harriers were ahead as Stour experienced calamity at the back.
Even after Green had been robbed on halfway, Whitfield's through ball appeared far too strong for Singh.
But under little pressure, Price completely missed his kick allowing the striker to nip in and slot into the empty net.
It was a horrible error, but one which for which the goalkeeper more than redeemed himself.
He saved from Singh and then Whitfield to keep his team in it, as Harriers threatened to go further ahead. Indeed, the home side's leveller came completely against the run of play.
Billingham was found 25 yards from goal and from his delivery, Lait fired home after Dodd and Hawley and been denied by first Snedker and then the post.
Two minutes later, the turnaround was complete when Scarr volleyed home after Harriers failed to deal with a Tonks long throw.
Things got worse for Harriers as, with 12 minutes remaining, Fazlic was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Tonks.
Stour thought they had a third when Dodd slotted in at the far post, only for the effort to be chalked off by a linesman's flag. It mattered little, as the hosts went on to record victory.
