HARRIERS had to settle for a point in their final away game of the season as they were held 2-2 at Southport.

The home side had taken the lead on the stroke of half time with a fine strike from Charles, before levelling through a well-taken strike by Milan Butterfield.

Southport would go in front as Charles doubled his tally from close range, but a penalty from Joe Ironside ensured Harriers pulled back level.

The Reds had the best of the chances to win it, too, with Jaiden White denied in injury time.

Harriers had a big chance inside three minutes; Chambers led a counter and played in McAlinden who in turn fed Ironside who saw a shot blocked.

Fraser Horsfall hit wide from a corner before flashed a good chance across the face of goal with seven on the clock, before Tom Palmer held on to a shot from Morgan.

Ed Williams was a threat on 26 minutes and supplied McAliden whose shot was blocked away, the former Gloucester man himself taking aim before the break with an effort that rose over the bar.

A chance at either end proved decisive come the break - mere seconds after McAliden had gone oh-so close with a shot wide at one end, Charles fired home for Southport with a strike after a route-one approach from the hosts.

Soon after the break, Harriers had a let off when Sampson curled a gilt-edged chance wide of the post having been gifted the ball in the area.

What had, up to then, been a quiet game well and truly burst into life with two goals in just a few minutes. The equaliser capped a good, composed move that saw Butterfield stride on to the ball before firing it beyond the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.

Sadly for Harriers, celebrations were short-lived; the home side were level as Sampson drew a fine save from Palmer, Charles the only man alert to the youngster's parry as he rounded him before finding the net once more.

With 20 left to play, Harriers were awarded a penalty - Horsfall rose superbly at a corner to head the ball on to the bar; Richards got to the ball first and was dragged down by stopper Hanford. Ironside did the honours from 12 yards to score for the 18th time this term.

Edging into the final quarter-hour, Southport's Bauress and Green had good sights of goal but neither seriously managed to trouble Palmer, Sampson twice more hitting off target before the end.

The big chance for Harriers to win it came in the third minute of added time. Richards did superbly to find space at the by-line and pull the ball back to teenage striker White who struck it well, only to see the goalkeeper block it with his feet as the ball was cleared.