DARRYL Knights pounced on a goalkeeping error from Hereford United debutant Darren Randolph to score and hand Harriers a 1-0 victory over the Bulls in their first pre-season game at Aggborough.
Boss Mark Yates played two almost completely different sides in each half of the game, and both 45 minutes were full of plenty of positives.
The lead was taken early on as Randolph held on too long to Kris Taylor's pass-back and KNIGHTS nipped in to steal the ball at the shot-stopper's feet before tucking away into an empty net.
Trialist Martin Brittain was one of several bright sparks for the hosts in the first period - his delivery into the box was of real quality as Martin Riley - a former Wolves defender on trial - and Justin Richards getting good chances on goal before the half hour.
Hereford's only real effort of the first half fell to Steve Guinan whose header was way off target -- Randolph then redeemed himself in the Bulls' goal, pulling off fine saves from Knights and Brittain.
Former Walsall man David McDermott is also been given a trial at Aggborough and he almost made it 2-0 as he turned and shot neatly in the box, forcing another save from Randolph six minutes before the break.
The second half was a little less fluid as the fresh side took to the field, but ex-Weymouth forward Gavin McCallum and Harriers' own Brian Smikle put in very promising shifts.
McCallum alone kept sub United 'keeper Craig Sampson busy with a collection of different efforts from different ranges, and Adam Bartlett who took to the field for Harriers after the break was also tested.
He got down well to Jack MacLeod's fine two efforts to palm them wide, before the hosts could and should have wrapped up their victory with ten to go.
After good work from Marco Addagio, both McCallum and Matthew-Barnes-Homer both went within a whisker of adding to the score line.
Harriers first half: Coleman, Ferrell, Lowe, Jones (Riley 10), Knights, Penn, Richards, McGrath, Brittain, McDermott, Bowler.
Harriers second half: Bartlett, Bowler, Bignot, Russell, Barnes-Homer, Smikle, Riley, Foley, Taylor, Addagio, McCallum.
Attendance: 661
