MANAGER Mark Yates felt that for the second straight week, his Harriers side were well worth their single goal victory - this weekend his side overcame Rushden at Nene Park.

For the second consecutive week, Harriers put in a strong performance and created a hatful of chances and as last week they found themselves in the Second Round of the FA Cup, after this latest victory they climb back up in to the Blue Square Premier play-off places.

And Yates felt his side were deserving of their most recent rewards - Harriers stay four points off top spot with a game in hand over Burton Albion.

After today's game, Yates was delighted that his troops acquitted themselves so well against yet another one of the division's title challengers.

"I thought, particularly first half, we were excellent," he said.

"We knew we'd have to defend today, we knew we'd have to put our heads in the way - they're a big, strong side.

"They're decent at set-pieces and we knew we'd have to defend them properly and bar one, I felt we did superbly.

"I thought we played some really good stuff and we were unlucky not to have the game out of sight at half-time.

"We needed to be that little bit more ruthless but I thought we were well worth the win again today."

That win came courtesy of Justin Richards' 12th goal of the season, a penalty after Curtis Osano handled Brian Smikle's first-half cross.

Richards put the penalty past the impressive Dale Roberts but it was the highlight of an otherwise luckless afternoon in front of goal for the Blue Square Premier's top marksman.

Before netting the spot-kick he missed three or four other fine chances that previously this term he'd made his bread and butter.

The goal, then, a true test of the former Woking man's steel, according to Yates.

"It shows the character the Justin's got," the Aggborough boss continued.

"He'd missed a couple of chances that he'd back himself to score.

"I didn't see the penalty but Neil told me he'd slotted it away well."

"He's full of confidence, as he should be and as they all are.

"They're playing with confidence and have a great togetherness and I think that showed in the second half."