HARRIERS struck in the 97th minute to earn a richly-deserved point against Curzon Ashton at Aggborough.

Harriers were in control of the game for almost its entirety but found Nash stopper Cam Mason in inspired form.

With the visitors struck with less than 15 minutes to go with one of just two chances in the match, it looked like being yet another one of those days for Harriers, only for Dan Bradley to net from a corner with the last kick of the game.

The first half was full of frantic play and plenty to keep an eye on from both teams, without really threatening to boil over into a truly electric affair.

In the space of four minutes, Chambers had two good chances to force a breakthrough. On 20, his attempted lob of Mason was comfortably dealt with, while just after, he was threaded through on goal only for the custodian to rush out and clear the ball as he shot.

Vaughan then crossed for Chambers who saw a header deflected wide, before Bradley saw a shot blocked with Williams denied on the follow up, all on the half-hour.

Penn's dipping shot was the last of the half, but five minutes after the restart there was a clear-cut opening as Chambers, put through by Bradley, turned a shot narrowly off target.

Three before the hour came Curzon's first chance as Brooke tried to fire past Hall at point-plank range at the far post. Hall did well to stand up and block it, before Williams and Horsfall went close with half chances up at the other end.

The opportunities just kept coming past the hour mark when Chambers was again denied by Mason and Bradley struck over - Curzon's goal arriving on 76 when a free-kick was met by Morton, his run unchallenged and his header simple.

Harriers did respond well, though. Including six minutes of added time, they racked up a raft of chances in the final 15 minutes of play. Austin, Waring, Williams and Bradley all working over the target.

Just like it looked as though the most unlikely of defeats was complete, the breakthrough came when a driven corner, met by Bradley, found the net to the relief rather than delight of Aggborough.

Dan Bradley wants Harriers to build on their win over Brackley a fortnight ago when Curzon Ashton visit Aggborough on Saturday to kick off the Christmas period.

It has been a stop-start last month or so for the reds, with bad weather an exit from the FA Trophy meaning the team have twice had to endure two-week breaks between league matches.

There were positives last time out, though, as the side arrested a difficult run of form with a composed 2-0 win over Brackley at Aggborough.

Building on that has been the focus ever since and, after another weekend without competitive action, it’s a return to the National League North with the visit of the Nash to Worcestershire.

Curzon, also dumped out of the Trophy early, were themselves out of action seven days ago and are keen to make an impression in what will be just their second game under new management.

All told, then, it makes for a busy afternoon in prospect and Bradley knows well that now is the time for Harriers to pick up some form and get a run together.

“Going into the Christmas period with it being so hectic, it was good to get a win and get that bad bit of form out the way,” reflected the former Tamworth man of the Brackley victory.

“All round, it gives everyone a boost. Although Brackley were limited to chances, and they are doing okay in the league and at the time I think they were only a point behind us.

“It was an important result and now, hopefully, we can kick on.

"...we’ve just got to get as many points as we can over Christmas and see where that takes us..." Dan Bradley

“We are fortunate in that, in my opinion, is really storming the league… we can still get some points and climb up the table.

“It’s very tight… I think the teams at the top will still drop points, so we’ve just got to get as many points as we can over Christmas and see where that takes us.”

Mark Bradshaw is the new man at the helm for Curzon Ashton.

The former Nash coach, who had worked for the club for a number of years previously, took the step up to replace John Flanagan after his dismissal following years in the hot-seat.

His first game in charge was a defeat at FC United of Manchester but, with a fortnight’s work under their belt, there’s little doubt they’ll be a tough nut to crack for a Harriers side in search of points.

While Curzon are in the midst of a run of games away from home, the Reds have not played at an away venue for over a month.

The challenges of playing at Aggborough remain present, says Bradley, but he knows that’s simply another hurdle to overcome.

He explained: “We’ve watched DVDs of teams from weeks before and they are a completely different team when they come and play us!

“We have to accept that, and it is what it is. We have to try and, whatever way possible, get the three points because that is the most important thing.”

Harriers will be hoping they can welcome back injured pair Jimmy O’Connor and Billy Daniels for the fixture.

Daniels missed the Brackley win while O’Connor has been out for the last few weeks with a calf complaint.

Kick-off at Aggborough Stadium on Saturday is at 3:00pm.

WATCH: Dan Bradley’s full pre-match video interview, courtesy of our YouTube channel, by clicking the video tab above.

BUY: Main Stand match tickets by clicking the link in the top right of the page – don’t worry, you can still pay cash on the turnstile once online sales end.

TICKETS: Remain on sale for the games against Hereford on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, both of which are ALL TICKET matches.