SKIP LOWE ON A HIGH AS KIDDY FIRE LATE
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers and AFC Fylde had to settle for a share of the spoils after a breathtaking top-of-thetable clash at Aggborough that yielded six goals and oozed quality from the outset.
After the leaders hit back in the second half thanks to James Hardy’s brace to go ahead for the first time, Keith Lowe struck with four minutes remaining to grab a deserved point for the hosts.
Harriers had taken the lead against the run of play before the quarter-hour mark. Jordan Tunnicliffe planted a long ball forward which was glanced into the path of Arthur Gnahoua and the Frenchman confidently finished with a low shot from 12 yards, despite goalkeeper Rhys Taylor getting a hand on the ball.
The Coasters almost levelled in the 26th minute as Bohan Dixon twisted and turned to swing a right-footed shot which Harriers stopper Sam Hornby did well to keep out. From the resulting corner, Hornby made a superb one-handed save from Danny Rowe, pushing the ball against the inside of the post before Harriers cleared.
The Coasters made their pressure pay on the stroke of half-time. Dixon laid the ball off to Rowe and the striker hit a rasping shot from 20 yards that Hornby could do nothing about, sealing his 19th goal of the season.
Harriers regained their lead shortly after the break. Fine work by Gnahoua saw him thread through Elton Ngwatala, who took the ball wide before sliding it under Taylor with his left foot.
The visitors equalised for the second time just after the hour. Hornby could only parry Rowe’s strike from Sam Finley’s cross to the feet of Hardy, who finished from close range.
And they went ahead for the first time in the 72nd minute as the pair combined again. Finley squared the ball
after his tricky run to Hardy, who slammed home from inside the six-yard box.
Harriers thought they’d grabbed an equaliser with seven minutes remaining through Mani Dieseruvwe. But the leveller did come in dramatic fashion two minutes later, Tunnicliffe nodding down James McQuilkin’s free-kick for skipper Lowe to head in.
Harriers boss John Eustace said: “It was a really good game. I’m delighted with a point in the end and I can’t be any prouder than I am of the boys, I thought they worked their socks off against a very good, experienced side.”
Fylde chief Dave Challinor said: “I’m always disappointed not to win but, on reflection, I don’t think either side deserved to lose. It’s a tough place to come and there were two really good teams trying to play in the right manner.”
STAR MAN: Arthur Gnahoua (Kidderminster Harriers) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★