Harriers 0 Shrewsbury 2 - Report and pictures

Clinical finishing was the difference as Kidderminster Harriers went down to League One Shrewsbury in a fiercely competitive friendly at Aggborough.

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A fortunate goal from Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro and an opportunist strike from James Collins was enough for the visitors to seal victory.

Harriers made an urgent start to the game and forced the pace in the early stages.

In fact, the Conference side should have been in front at the break rather than their neighbours, but for wasted chances.

A mis-hit pass by Town defender Mark Ellis gifted Kidderminster a glorious opportunity after just 40 seconds.

Livewire trialist Rob Taylor seized on the loose ball and fed Reece Styche, but the striker could only blaze over the bar after cutting inside Jermaine Grandison.

A foul from behind by Grandison gave Harriers another chance after four minutes, but this time another trialist, ex-Leicester right winger Adam Dawson, saw his curling free-kick acrobatically tipped over the bar by Jayson Leutwiler.

Dawson, who looked dangerous throughout, created the next opening in the 16th minute, crossing for central midfielder Luke Maxwell to steam in at the back post with a powerful header that flew wide.

But seven minutes later, Shrewsbury took the lead with a fortuitous goal.

Akpa-Akpro was credited with it after cutting in from the left and unleashing a low drive, but trialist keeper Dean Snedker seemed to have it covered until it struck the legs of a Harriers defender and wrong-footed him.

To their credit, the hosts immediately tried to hit back with a volley from Taylor that had Leutwiler watching anxiously.

Shaun Whalley's fierce volley five minutes before the break was met by an equally spectacular save from Snedker after the unmarked winger was teed up by Collins.

And Town made the first inroads following the restart on 48 when Collins dragged a shot wide.

We had to wait until the 67th minute for the next goalmouth action as Kidderminster midfielder Luke Maxwell hooked into the sidenetting.

Harriers remained a threat and Joe Clarke had the sparse crowd on their feet when crashed a 25-yard effort off the bar.

But Town then struck to seal the win. After sub keeper Alex Palmer stuck out a leg to keep out Collins's first-time effort deep, Collins then depatched a low shot under the keeper to make it 2-0.

McAlinden went close to a third goal for Micky Mellon's side when he let fly with a superb shot from 20 yards that beat Palmer and struck the inside of the post with Jordan Clark firing the rebound into the side-netting.