KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' rollercoaster season took another dip as Stuart Watkiss' men fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Crawley.

After Saturday's win over Gravesend, confidence was high in the camp but it was Town who opened the scoring with just two minutes on.

Daryl Burgess put through his own goal from close range after he tried to intercept a cross John Danby had already come to collect.

BLACKWOOD: Two good first-half chances.

Iyseden Christie produced some of his usual magic in the penalty area a quarter of an hour later, unfortunately he was only able to shoot his effort down the throat of Scott Ward in the Crawley goal.

Christie's flick-on five minutes later allowed Simon Heslop to burst through into the area, but after charging down on goal the youngster's shot was blocked thanks to a last ditch tackle from Ben Judge.

Jamie Cade went close to doubling his sides' advantage on the half-hour mark with a spectacular first-time volley that flew just high of goal.

Michael Blackwood should've levelled the scores three minutes later but his shot was saved acrobatically by Ward's legs.

And on the stroke of half time, after he found himself clear on goal, his run continued to narrow the angle on goal he was only able to direct his attempt into the side netting.

Half Time: Crawley Town 1-0 Harriers

Harriers had little to show for their efforts in a dismal second half, Blackwood's 57th-minute free-kick the first moment worthy of any mention after it curled dangerously before just shaving the crossbar.

FLEMING: First Harriers sending-off of the season.

Daryl Clare went close for the hosts 15 minutes from time as his header was sent sailing over Danby's goal with Harriers boss Stuart Watkiss continuing to throw bodies forward with attacking substitutions.

It just wasn't to be Harriers night, however, and CADE doubled the advantage eight minutes from time with a right-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net.

The visitors' misery was complete when midfielder Terry Fleming was then shown a red card for a second bookable offence for apparent dissent towards referee McDermid who was also not having the best of nights.

Crawley substitute Sasha Opinel will be left wondering how he failed to make it three for his team as he somehow sent his goalbound header woefully wide deep into the five minutes of added time.

Full Time: Crawley Town 2-0 Harriers

THE TEAMS

Crawley Town: Ward, Judge, Simpemba, Woozley, Opinel (Giles 86), Cade, Armstrong, Wormull (Blackburn 62), Lindegaard, Clare, Steve Burton (Douglas 75).

Subs Not Used: Smith, Ekoku.

Harriers: Danby, Evans, Jackson, Hatswell, Burgess, Wilson (Thompson 72), Heslop, Blackwood (Atieno 68), Fleming, Russell (Sheldon 74), Christie.

Subs Not Used: Burton, Hurren.

Referee: D McDermid (Hampshire).

Attendance: 1,012

Website MoM: Simon Heslop - Perhaps Blackwood and Christie aside, Simon was a rare bright spark for Harriers tonight, particularly with his first half showing. He seems to have an eye for space in the smallest gaps all over the pitch and he failed to stop running even with the team well beaten.