HEMMINGS ARRIVES ON CUE FOR A VITAL POINT

ASH HEMMINGS struck a late leveller to rescue a point for Kidderminster Harriers and make it four draws on the spin.

David Noble’s Stones took the lead during first-half stoppage time through the in-form Max Kretzschmar, but a late goal from Hemmings secured a valuable away point for Phil Brown’s men.

The Stones nearly made the perfect start as Kretzschmar’s free-kick was deflected goal-bound in the sixth minute, forcing Christian Dibble to react with a finger-tip save to deny Wealdstone’s number ten.

The hosts continued to dominate the early exchang- es and were tantalisingly close to profiting in the 17th minute through a trio of chances in quick succession. Charlie Barker’s back-heel was well-saved by Dibble, Kallum Tracey Cesay’s effort hit the post, and then Sean Adarkwa’s header struck the crossbar.

Wealdstone looked like they had duly taken the lead in the 26th minute when defender Barker found the back of the net, but the assistant referee flagged for offside.

With ten minutes of the first-half remaining, the Harriers galvanised their best chance as Amari Morgan-Smith burst forward, beat two Stones defenders and drilled a low strike just wide of the far post.

However, one minute into stoppage time, Noble’s side were rewarded for their dominance; man-of-themoment Kretzschmar clinically fired past Dibble with a fine strike to notch his fourth goal in five games. The Harriers emerged from the interval with intent, nearly drawing level in the 46th minute through the dangerous Morgan-Smith’s fierce strike, but Dewhurst was equal to his effort.

As the second-half progressed, the visitors began find to find rhythm and edge themselves back into the contest. With 20 minutes left, the Harriers looked like they had equalised when Jay Emmanuel-Thomas rifled an effort goalbound from eight-yards, but Dewhurst responded with an excellent save to thwart the substitute.

The visitors had another opening in the 77th minute when Morgan-Smith teed-up Jack Lambert, forcing Dewhurst to produce another save.

Brown’s side were eventually rewarded for their persistence, deservedly drawing level in the 82nd minute as Hemmings latched onto Lambert’s perfect throughball and coolly fired home past Dewhurst to send the match into a tense finale.

The Stones had the opportunity to retake the lead in the 89th minute when Jadyn Mundle-Smith struck from inside the box, but straight at Dibble.

Two minutes into added time, the Harriers must have thought they had stolen all three points at the death when Krystian Pearce’s header looked destined for the top corner, but the skipper was agonisingly denied by the crossbar.

STAR MAN: Marcus Dewhurst (Wealdstone) ATT: 2,102 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: John Mulligan