Match report by Matt Wall - all statistics provided and generated by the Press Association.

Harriers made their exit from the FA Carlsberg Trophy on Saturday but they did so with some pride restored as they battled out a 0-0 second leg draw with Stevenage Borough at the Lamex Stadium.

The visitors made a bright start to the game but with less than four minutes gone they almost found themselves a goal down out of nothing; good work out-wide by Chris Beardsley for the hosts saw him in on goal on the angle - he drove a cross through a crowd of bodies and the ball nicked up off the foot of the post before being drilled to safety by Duane Courtney.

Harriers pressed well early on and a good delivery into the box with ten minutes on the clock Chris McPhee got up well and would have powered a header towards Chris Day's goal save for a terrific block by Scott Laird just in time.

Moments later there was danger at the other end as Stacy Long found himself free on the edge of the area to fire a shot towards Ross Atkins that the young loan goalkeeper did well to get to and parry away.

Harriers forced their first real chances of the game in the 14th and 16th minutes as Day was called upon to make two fine saves - first from James Lawrie, tipping the striker's effort just over the bar from 20 yards, and latterly from Robbie Matthews as he got down to turn a low effort around the foot of his near post.

A little over ten minutes later Beardsley was again causing problems - played through on goal he charged towards Atkins but quick thinking from the 'keeper saw the shot-stopper charge quickly off his line and force a decision from the front man - the angle narrowed, Beardsley could only shoot wide of an empty net. On the half hour, David Bridges forced more good work from Atkins as his header was kept out with a fine stop.

With just seven of the first half left Lee Baker surged forward well and whipped a ball into the box that reached Robbie Matthews at the far post - the striker had to wait for the bounce and did well to get contact on it though his effort went over Day's bar.

In first half stoppage time Harriers were again going forward - Darryl Knights caught Scott Laird napping and stole the ball before firing a shot towards goal that struck Day's side netting after going narrowly wide.

Early in the second half Martin Riley was in some pain after he was on the wrong end of a hammering challenge from Andy Drury, the Boro man perhaps fortunate to only see yellow.

As the hour mark came and went there was another brace of chances for Harriers as great work allowed Matthews to play in Knights whose shot was very well saved, shortly before Dean Bennett hit wide.

Sub Mitchell Cole was prowling with intent soon after coming on and he created a half chance with 72 on the clock as his ball into the box was headed away from the target by powerful forward Yemi Odubade.

The second period was by far the quieter, a rare moment of goalmouth action saw Beardsley turn and shoot quickly in the box with seven to go, hitting a strong shot towards Atkins that was eventually held. Atkins was almost caught out by the same player moments later as his clearance was closed down, but as Borough moved the ball, Odubade could only shoot over.

With three minutes to go Harriers arguably had the best chance of the whole day as they again robbed the hosts of the ball - charging forward, Knights played a neat give and go with Smikle that saw the former denied by a superb save from Day as he shot from close-range.

Not to be out-done, Atkins came back with a late, excellent stop of his own as he somehow clawed back Cole's effort from Odubade's centre.

The full-time whistle came to end Harriers' Trophy run but if today's battle had been in the stands there would have been one clear winner. The 98 Harriers fans sang and danced (some, topless...) from first minute to last and drowned out their counterparts, of whom many had departed before their place at Wembley had even been confirmed.

THE TEAMS:
Harriers: Ross Atkins, Duane Courtney, Lee Baker, Martin Riley, Tom Sharpe, Chris McPhee, Dean Bennett, Darryl Knights, Brian Smikle, Robbie Matthews, James Lawrie.
Subs not used: Jasbir Singh, Marcus Bignot, Gavin Caines, Adam Boyes, Kyle Hadley.

Stevenage: Chris Day, Scott Laird, Jon Ashton, Darren Murphy (Joel Byrom 72), Stacy Long, Yemi Odubade, Mark Roberts, David Bridges (Mark Albrighton 82), Chris Beardsley, Andy Drury (Mitchell Cole 60), Ronnie Henry.
Subs not used: Ashley Bayes, Tim Sills.