HARRIERS put in a much-improved performance against Burton Albion at Aggborough tonight but were held to an entertaining 0-0 draw by the Brewers' in a game the hosts could probably have won.

The result was more than harsh on the hosts who made Nigel Clough's visitors look anything other than the fifth-placed outfit that they are.

The Brewer's themselves played some decent stuff and had three real chances in the match - two of which were thwarted by goalkeeper Steve Taylor who did his confidence the world of good after Saturday's draw at St. Albans with a good showing between the sticks.

The game was played at a decent tempo throughout though the home side were left a little frustrated by what could only be described as delaying, if not time wasting tactics by Albion - who took an eternity over set-pieces and the like.

Inside the first 20 minutes Harriers had two great opportunities with Michael Blackwood's volley and Luke Reynolds' looping header both cleared off the line by Aaron Webster and Ryan Austin respectively.

The link-up between Iyseden Christie and Reynolds was decent and after Christie had been played in by the former AFC Telford man, you felt sure Iyseden would find the back of the net just after, only to be denied by Kevin Poole who pulled off a string of fine saves to deny Harriers.

Daryl Clare was perhaps given too much space and time on a few occasions but Taylor handled his threat well when it came down to it - he was helpless to prevent Jon Shaw's blasted attempt to give Burton the lead, luckily the crossbar did as he smashed in Alex Nicholls' ball. The rebound header fell to Clare who missed the target.

That was just after Christie had been unleashed from midfield - bearing down on Poole's goal he unselfishly centred the ball but there was just too much on it for Reynolds as he came running in.

With 67 minutes on the clock Blackwood (pictured) - who'd had a fantastic night - forced a stunning parry from Poole between the sticks - even Reynolds was caught off-guard by the save and could only poke the rebound wide of the target.

As the clock ran down Burton had final chances through Danny Holes and Shaw - the former was denied by an excellent save by Taylor's feet.

Given the chances Harriers' had and the fact that they probably edged the game in terms of control means that a third draw on the spin for Mark Yates' men was hard to take, but the quality of the performance was much greater than that of their last two stalemates and that's what Yates will take from tonight going in to Saturday's next home game against Northwich (3:00pm).

Match reaction to follow tomorrow.

Harriers: Taylor, Kenna, Whitehead, Creighton, Harkness, Russell, Penn, Hurren, Blackwood (Brady 74), Christie, Reynolds (Hay 76).
Subs Not Used: Sedgemore, Smikle, Wilson.

Burton Albion: Poole, Brayford, Stride, Austin, Webster, Nicholls, Carden, Holmes, Gilroy (Corbett 57), Clare (Harrad 70), Shaw.
Subs Not Used: Tinson, Ducros, Bell.

Attendance: 1,635 (216 Burton fans)

Referee: Oli Langford (West Midlands)