A Cortez Belle own-goal was enough to extend Harriers' unbeaten run with a well-deserved 1-0 win over Halifax Town in a poor game at Aggborough.

It was a pretty dour affair, not helped by the early sending off of Halifax man Anthony Griffith for a stamp on Dean Bennett. From the 13th minute red card, Halifax adopted a more defensive stance and managed to contain the hosts until Belle was forced to put the ball past his own goalkeeper.

The two defences shone throughout, which probably explains why the game was such a poor one; James Constable was thwarted to the ball by a Shaymen defender just as he looked to latch onto Justin Richard's lethal through-ball. From there, Griffith saw red - after tangling with Bennett, the player clearly landed a stamp on the thigh of the Harriers' man, directly in front of the referee who had no choice but to flash the card.

Three minutes later Harriers' had their penalty appeals turned down after Russell Penn was flattened in the area - Paul Bignot came dangerously close to scoring his first goal in Kidderminster colours later in the half when he forced the visiting goalkeeper to tip his cross-shot over the bar.

Harriers 1-0 Halifax - Match Action
PIC: (C) EMPICS/KHFC

Chris MacKenzie was given very little to do throughout the night but he was kept alert when Lewis Killeen surged into the area and flashed a shot along the face of goal.

Just before the hour mark the hosts forced two good saves from Adam Ledzgins, first when lively sub Michael McGrath shot from distance and again when Bennett hit a dipping volley that was turned around the post.

With 72 minutes on the clock Harriers made the breakthrough when Constable flicked the ball round Ryan Toulson and, just like last year, fired a dangerous cross goalwards that the defence couldn't ignore - BELLE got the unlucky touch as the ball sailed past the goalkeeper.

There was little forthcoming from either stages in the remaining 18 minutes though both goalkeepers were forced into great last saves, Penn went close for Harriers whilst MacKenzie did brilliantly to tip Belle's free-kick away from goal.