Result: Kidderminster 0-1 Southport

Kidderminster squandered a gilt-edged chance to pick up three points in the Vanarama National League when they lost to their fellow strugglers at Aggborough.

Kidderminster paid the price for not scoring when on top in the first half after Andy Bishop poached a late winner.

Defeat was harsh on the hosts, who had hit the woodwork twice in the first 45 minutes.

Harriers handed a debut to former Southampton academy player Matt Young, who started at left-back.

New additions Callum Hassan, Jordan Murphy and Ben Whitfield, all recent additions, were making their Kidderminster debut at Aggborough.

This bottom four battle started off with both sides trying to find their rhythm.

Cole Stockton had the game’s first shot in the 20th minute for the away side when he directed an effort just wide from the edge of the box.

Harriers were caught napping in the 25th minute when Almond teed up Gary Jones but Snedker beat his shot away.

But it was the hosts who took control and were denied a deserved opening goal twice by the woodwork.

In the 27th minute, Whitfield got the better of Southport’s debutant keeper Max Crocombe with a curling left-footed effort which struck the base of the post.

He came even closer nine minutes later; Jared Hodgkiss delivered a good cross from the right wing and the on-loan Bournemouth swept in a shot that hit the bar.

Keeper Snedker denied Stockton’s close range effort in the 40th minute Southport offered little going forward.

Harriers continued to press for a goal in the second half and Reece Styche replaced Murphy in the 58th minute, with Hassan switching to the right wing, where he looked ineffective.

The hosts were seeing a lot of the ball but were not finding a way through the away defence.

Styche was making his presence felt and the hard running forward curled in an effort which the keeper kept well.

Harriers kept probing and Styche combined with Whitfield to carve open the away side but the striker’s first touch was too heavy and allowed the chance to go begging.

Kidderminster were piling the pressure but were caught out in the 83rd minute.

The home defence was sleeping when Andy Wright delivered a looping cross and former Reds front man Bishop was free to head home.

Harriers had four minutes of time added on but were so stunned by the late goal, they failed to muster a shot.

Harriers remain bottom of the table and have yet to win in 18 games.

Teams

Harriers: Snedker, Hodgkiss, Rowe-Turner, Maxwell, Langmead, Hassan, Dinsley, Francis-Angol, Young, Murphy (Styche, 58), Whitfield.

Subs not used: Palmer, Tunnicliffe, Campbell, Forsyth.

Southport: Crocombe, Challoner, Nolan, Foster, Wright, Stockton (Phenix, 62 (Rutherford, 83)),Bishop, Jones, Joyce, Almond, Davies.

Subs not used: Thompson, Blakeman, Viscosi.