A hat-trick for Joe Lolley eased Harriers to victory in Andy Thorn's first game in charge.

For his first team selection Thorn made just on change to the side that had drawn with Peterborough in the FA Cup, bringing in Jack Byrne in place of the injured Callum Gittings.

The game was a poor spectacle in the first half with neither side playing particularly well on the soft Aggborough pitch.  Goalscoring chances were at a premium and the only shot on target by either side fell to Lolley who opened the scoring on 18 minutes picking up a pass from Jack Byrne and cutting in from the right before planting his shot past Will Purdy in the City goal.

The second half was an improvement with Harriers stepping up a gear.  Lolley was a constant threat on the right wing and he, along with substitute Marin Johnson, forced saves from Purdy.  Harriers doubled their advantage in the 75th minute; Lolley was hauled down in the penalty area by James Clarke and picked himself up to take the penalty sending Purdy the wrong way.

Four minutes from the end Johnson was needlessly brought down by Angus McDonald to earn Harriers another penalty; Lolley took the ball away from Michael Gash to attempt to complete his hat-trick which he duly did, firing straight down the middle of the goal.

With victory Harriers moved themselves back into the play-off positions, jumping back up to fourth place.