Late Luton show not enough as Harriers hold on to stay top

Despite a late Luton surge title-hopefuls Kidderminster Harriers held on to triumph 2-1 against a disjointed Town team this afternoon, writes Mark Wood.

For long periods the Hatters seemed to lack balance, direction and ideas, while their cause was certainly not helped by one-sided referee K Johnson who gave little the home side’s way.

Poor defending allowed Joshua Gowling to fire Harriers ahead on 13 minutes before Anthony Malbon doubled their lead in controversial fashion on 36 minutes.

Town had their chances throughout but only truly threatened at the death after substitute Andre Gray had pulled one back with seven minutes to go, but the damage had already been done as they were unable to force an equaliser.

Town made two changes from Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Cambridge United, plunging youngster Matt Robinson into the centre of midfield for Jonathan Smith who dropped to the bench, and partnering Scott Rendell with Jon Shaw up front as Gray was also named amongst the subs.

The Hatters started well against the Conference leaders, Solomon Taiwo seeing his effort deflected over 16 seconds in.

Luton proceeded to play some nice stuff on a tricky surface but almost handed the Harriers the lead on 12 minutes. Steve McNulty failed to get anything on Lee Vaughan’s ball over the top and Malbon raced clean through as Mark Tyler stood tall and pulled off an instinctive save to turn the ball over the bar.

However, Kidderminster went ahead seconds later when a half-cleared corner was looped to the far post and the ball fell perfectly for centre-half Gowling to drill home.

Town looked to respond as Shaw’s 18th-minute long-range drive was parried and Robinson’s mishit effort drew calls of handball.

Danny Pilkington sent a dipping free-kick over the bar on 24 minutes before Luton were inches away from levelling. A quickly-taken free-kick released Jake Howells on the right and Rendell and Gowling both dived in at the near post as the ball thudded against the bar, down, and back out.

Route one Luton went close again moments later when Rendell flicked Tyler’s clearance on to Shaw who laid the ball back into Rendell’s path but he could only scuff a great opening wide.

Playing with plenty of confidence the visitors threatened again on 28 minutes when Michael Gash danced along the byline and drew Tyler before pulling the ball back to Malbon, but McNulty was there to block.

Robinson’s daisycutter was tamely at Danny Lewis just past the half-hour, while at the other end Malbon did well to hook the ball into the path of Gash who headed too close to Tyler.

But Harriers did double their lead in controversial fashion seconds later when Malbon seemed to push McNulty as he raced clear, rounded Tyler and then fired home.

Town’s skipper was swiftly replaced by debutant Scott Griffiths as Taiwo took the captain’s armband.

With a minute to go David Martin floated the ball into the box and Rendell flicked tamely at the keeper before just being unable to reach Griffiths’ driven cross as another poor half drew to a close with some boos from the home faithful.

The second half continued in the same vein as Keith Briggs headed over five minutes in as Town continued to sit far too deep.

Martin dragged a first-time effort wide from the edge of the box, but Luton lacked cohesion and understanding and were losing too many battles all over the pitch as the home crowd grew increasingly restless.

Smith replaced Martin as Town looked to add more bite to their midfield and, just as it looked like Town might finally build something, referee Johnson, who made some dubious decision all afternoon, intercepted the ball which allowed Harriers to break and ended in Danny Jackman forcing Tyler to save on 65 minutes.

Lathaniel Rowe-Turner went flying into a challenge and was booked for being overly robust before Gray was finally introduced on 69 minutes as the unfortunate Rendell was withdrawn.

Town again looked like they had scored when Taiwo’s free-kick caused consternation in the box and Gowling fired against his own bar as it looked to have crossed the line. But no decision came from the officials and Luton couldn’t force the ball home.

A lightning Luton break saw Shaw poke Gray through as Howells was unable to sweep home his cross.

Town kept the ball better but still lacked a cutting edge and seemed to lack forward runners.

Good work by Griffiths and Shaw ended in Smith tamely half-volleying at the keeper.

The Hatters were finally given a glimmer of hope with seven minutes to go when Robinson threaded through a great ball for Gray to run on to and his powerful blast rocketed inside Lewis’ near post.

Substitute Marvin Johnson almost put the game to bed when he forced a flying stop from Tyler, but it was Luton who suddenly finished on the front foot.

Neither Shaw nor Howells were able to connect with Robinson’s tantalising cross before the young midfielder’s shot ran just wide of the far post with three minutes to go.

Gash sent a drive into Tyler’s midriff as four minutes of stoppage time was added. Smith headed goalwards from Taiwo’s corner but Kidderminster cleared well and then professionally ran the clock down to triumph.

Hatters (4-4-2): Mark Tyler, Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, Steve McNulty (C, Scott Griffiths 39), Jon Shaw, Scott Rendell (Andre Gray 69), Jake Howells, Simon Ainge, David Martin (Jonathan Smith 55), Matt Robinson, Jake Goodman, Solomon Taiwo. Substitutes not used: Alex Wall, Dean Brill.

Harriers (4-3-3): Danny Lewis, Lee Vaughan, Mickey Demetriou, Kyle Storer (C), Anthony Malbon (Callum Gittings 89), Danny Pilkington (Marvin Johnson 80), Danny Jackman, Michael Gash, Keith Briggs (James Vincent 72), Cheyenne Dunkley, Joshua Gowling. Substitutes not used: Ryan Rowe, Nathan Vaughan.

Booked: Rowe-Turner 66; Johnson 90+5.

Referee: K Johnson.

Assistant Referees: L Wood and B Durie.

Fourth Official: C Husband.

Attendance: 6,108 (Kidderminster 408).

Star Hatter: Matt Robinson. The youngster did his best to take his chance on another frustrating day.