Report by Matt Wall - stats provided by the Press Association. Photo: Stefan Rapacz

FULL TIME  HARRIERS 3-2 LEWES

A classy first goal for more than a year for Darryl Knights and a nervy last-minute winner from Gavin Caines helped Kidderminster Harriers on their way to the next round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy as they saw off a determined Lewes side at Aggborough.

As early as the third minute it was evident that Harriers were eager to get the break out of their systems - Damian Spencer's darting run caused Lewes plenty of problems out wide, the on loan forward cutting inside before driving a shot over the target.

With eleven minutes gone the deadlock was broken - a poor, poor defending wall at a free-kick from Lewes allowed Robbie Matthews' driven effort from 18 yards to beat the despairing Rikki Banks between the sticks by virtue of a wicked deflection, the standing defenders standing yards apart.

That seemed to toughen up the Rooks defence and they largely kept Harriers at bay until two minutes shy of the half hour mark when they again went close - Spencer's strong run and pull back in the area found skipper Chris McPhee who drove powerfully just over the bar.

Five minutes later it was a flying Brian Smikle that almost beat Banks - fine build-up play by Darryl Knights and Duane Courtney saw a great ball fizzed across that the winger dove to find, his effort going just wide of the foot of the post.

Harriers started the second half in superb style and some last-ditch defending had already denied McPhee and Smikle before the second goal arrived on 51 minutes. Fine work from a corner saw the ball played to Kmights who drove the sweetest of finishes past Banks. Scorer Knights was surrounded by his team mates and rightly so - it was his first goal since a Setanta Shield tie at Burton in November 2008 and it was fully, fully deserved.

As with the first goal, the second seemed to stifle the game somewhat as Lewes tightened up - sub Nathan Hayward tried his luck with 20 to go and from some distance but a blue shirt was again on hand to make the interception.

Likewise visiting sub Jamie Crellin had a rare chance for Lewes on 75 minutes, a good effort from 20 yards failed to trouble Dean Coleman too seriously but it was a good sight of goal.

Less than five minutes later, however, the away side got themselves on the score sheet as all hopes of a comfortable, drama-free Harriers victory were sent flying as sub Kane Louis chased down a complacent back-header from Martin Riley to Coleman before crossing to Aaron Hopkinson who eventually slotted home.

With six minutes to go a potentially tricky situation turned into a nightmare - the ball was given away again to the hugely impressive Louis who played in Louis Pople who raced down on Coleman's goal before slotting the coolest of finishes into the back of the net.

The home side finally found their feet in the final minute - not fancying the thought of a replay next week, it was Lee Baker's good ball into the box caused all sorts of problems. Efforts from Aaron Farrell and Darryl Knights were kept out by breathtaking saves by Banks - the keeper could do nothing about Gavin Caines who popped up on the spot to ram the ball home.

Relief? Luck? A worthy win? Call it what you may, Harriers are in Round Three.