A JOE Ironside goal wasn’t enough to help Harriers to a share of pre-season spoils as the Reds fell to a 2-1 defeat to a young Birmingham City side at Aggborough on Saturday.

Ironside had netted in the second half to bring his team level after Odin Bailey’s first-half effort, only for City to resume the advantage soon after.

The visitors had the lead inside six minutes in relatively fortuitous circumstances – an opportunistic effort from Bailey deflecting up wildly up and beyond a helpless Palmer.

Chances at either before the half-hour end saw Brock-Madsen blaze wide for the Blues before Ironside was denied by the goalkeeper as he looked to get good contact to a deep delivery from Chambers.

Greg Stewart then forced Palmer into a good, low save before Harriers blocked well at the feet of Brock-Madsen.

Boyd-Munce and Brock-Madsen had half sights of goal soon after the break, before Ironside’s side-foot from Taylor’s cross had the ball in the net, only for the effort to be chalked off for offside.

Ironside again then tested Mrnosky at the near post, before finally getting his goal on 69 minutes with an excelletly-timed leap and header beyond Trnovsky – parity restored for just four minutes before Stewart’s fine run and drive into the box saw him drive a finish on the angle beyond Brandon Hall.

A trialist striker pulled the ball back for Vaughan to drive just wide on 78, Dan Bradley arrowing over the bar soon after.

DAN BRADLEY says Harriers are readying themselves for the challenge of tackling some of Birmingham City’s brightest stars at Aggborough on Saturday (3pm).

The Reds will meet a young Blues side as they continue their own pre-season schedule.

The visitors will consist of a line-up managed by Richard Beale, with much of the Birmingham first team set to feature at Cheltenham Town instead.

But that won’t make the challenged faced by Neil MacFarlane’s men any easier as they tackle City players itching to break through to that first team.

Bradley told the official website: “To be honest, I always think it’s a lot harder playing against younger teams.

"They’ll be right in our faces and full of energy..." Dan Bradley

“They are hungry and trying to impress enough to get themselves a spot in the first team there – so they will be up for it and will be very well motivated

“They’ll be right in our faces and full of energy, so it will be just as tough, but I think that’s just part and parcel of pre-season.

“It’s about getting used to it and getting back into the swing of things.”

Boss MacFarlane has praised the way his team have gone about their business in recent outings.

Bradley, too, has noticed a difference. He added: “We want to get minutes under our belts and get through session and games without injuries, but the way we are playing at the moment is a real bonus.

“It’s everything the gaffer has been working on and you can see, the way we are playing, we are better out of possession than we have been since I’ve been here.

“The gaffer has been gradual in putting that across in the first couple of weeks but, as they’ve progressed, we’ve done more tactical work and I think the last game or two has shown that.”

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

Admission is as follows, with home fans admitted to the North Stand terrace and the Main Stand, while Blues fans will be housed in the East Stand:

£10 adults
£6 concessions
£2 U16s