A lively performance from Harriers and a late Sam Shilton goal were enough to keep Harriers' fading play-off hopes
alive in front of a meagre crowd at Spotland.
Harriers began the game on the offensive and nearly took the lead in the first minute when Shilton was allowed
to run at the Dale defence through the inside left channel and he unleashed a 20-yard shot that flew just
wide. Rochdale involved themselves in an end-to-end encounter also and fifteen minutes later had a great
opportunity themselves, the dangerous Pat McCourt cut in from the left and ran unchallenged across the face
of the penalty area and it was not until he had turned and was bearing down on Stuart Brock that Adie Smith
made a timely intervention to concede a corner.
Player-manager Paul Simpson was inspirational for the home team in the centre of midfield and he went close to
scoring after 23 minutes when he let fly from 30 yards but Brock was alert to the danger and tipped the
shot over the bar. Two minutes later the play switched to the other end and a move involving JJ Melligan,
Dean Bennett, Bo Henriksen and Shilton culminated in captain Sean Flynn firing over the bar.
Ten minutes before the break the Harriers defence went missing when Rochdale counter-attacked and Simpson's
left wing cross found an unmarked Darren Hockenhull at the far post but he blazed his shot over the bar.
After the break the game continued to ebb and flow but Harriers gradually built up the pressure and it
seemed only a matter of time before the deadlock would be broken. After 61 minutes Shilton's left
wing corner found Dion Scott at the near post but he headed over when well positioned and eight minutes later
Bennett created a good chance for himself with a solo run across the front edge of the penalty area but
he also hit his shot too high.
Harriers created a string of chances but never tested rookie keeper Neil Bennett, after 72 minutes a good
knock down by Henriksen fell at the feet of Melligan but he was denied by a good tackle by Wayne Evans. Eventually
the breakthrough arrived, Flynn played the ball in fro mthe left to Shilton on the edge of the area and his
weak shot went through a crowd of legs that left the keeper unsighted and nestled nicely in the bottom
corenr. Even though the home team had switched to a 4-3-3 formation they were unable to break down a
Harriers defence that was determined that there would be no late errors to throw away the game and The Reds
held on for a deserved victory.
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