Match report: Kidderminster Harriers 2-2 Grimsby Town

A stoppage time goal from Aman Verma earned Kidderminster Harriers a confidence boosting draw in their National League curtain-raiser against highly rated Grimsby Town at Aggborough.

[gallery]

The Mariners, hotly tipped for promotion this season, went ahead on 43 minutes through Padraig Amond before a defensive blunder enabled Harriers to equalise on the hour mark through Reece Styche.

The visitors regained the lead after 67 minutes with an Andy Monkhouse goal before midfielder Verma headed in a dramatic equaliser 99 seconds into stoppage time.

Verma's well taken effort stunned the 1,687 travelling supporters and gave hard working Harriers a a major lift ahead of tomorrow's match at Dover Athletic.

Aggborough chief Gary Whild, who has assembled a squad with a severely restricted playing budget, was happy with the way new-look Harriers fought back to earn a share of the spoils.

He said: "All in all, when you've cleared your head, you'd settle for the point and be delighted to come back the way we did and get the equaliser. So fair play to the lads."

Harriers were well served by new goalkeeper Dean Snedker during the first half in which he pulled off a number of important saves.

Afterwards he came in for praise from Whild, who said: "He's obviously shown today what we have seen in him in pre-season. He's an exciting young goalkeeper.

"We said at half time he'd given us the opportunity to stay in the game and that we'd get one or two chances to score.

"I thought we played some good stuff second half and it was a text book header for the equaliser from Verma. That's why we are always on to him to get into those positions.

"But I thought the players work rate and sheer endeavour was a great little confidence booster for them."

[comments_cta header="What do you think?" text="Share your thoughts..." button="Log in and start commenting"]

Snedker thwarted Omar Bogle and Nathan Arnold on more than one occasion before Grimsby went ahead through Amond who took full advantage of a neat through pass from Bogle.

The Mariners then gifted Styche a goal when goalkeeper James McKeown was unable to control a poor back pass by Danny East.

But they were able to restore their lead when Monkhouse scored from close range after the Aggborough rearguard failed to deal with a corner which had been back into the danger area.

Grimsby, who had former Harriers captain Josh Gowling in their defence, must have thought they had done enough to open their campaign with an victory until Verma popped up to give Harriers a welcome lift in what they anticipate will be a challenging campaign.

Kidderminster: Snedker; Hodgkiss, Langmead (Green, 46), Tunnicliffe, Rowe-Turner; Maxwell (Campbell, 81), Clarke, Verma; Wright (Reid, 56), Styche, Dawson. Subs not used: Palmer, Reffell.

Grimsby: McKeown; Nsiala, Pearson, Gowling, East; Arnold, Disley, Clay, Monkhouse; Bogle, Amond (McKreath, 84). Subs not used: Tait, Robertson, Clifton, Venney

Referee: Brett Huxtable (Devon).

Attendance: 3,459 (1,689 away fans).