Harriers' winless streak now stands at five games as a missed penalty, sloppy defending and an inability to convert possession and half-chances into goals cost them defeat against Salisbury.

Back in action following their enforced lay-off as a result of the postponement at Crawley Harriers, with skipper Russ Penn back in action after injury, started brightly.  After just five minutes they were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead when Penn was brought down in the penalty area by Matt Robinson.  Iyseden Christie took the penalty but, perhaps with his dreadful spot-kick in the penalty shootout against Weymouth still playing on his mind, his shot lacked conviction and was easily saved by former Harrier Ryan Clarke diving to his right.

The early setback didn't knock Harriers out of their stride, however, and the opening goal arrived just five minutes later when Penn cut in from the right wing and drilled a low shot inside the far post.  As has been the case on numerous occasions this season, Harriers were caught out by pushing forward looking for an offside flag that never came on 24 minutes.  Liam Feeney raced clear and came off the better when colliding with the hopelessly exposed Chris MacKenzie and was able to roll the ball into the empty net.

Four minutes later Feeney turned provider, getting away from the sluggish Harriers defence on the right and crossing low to the far post where Rob Matthews was on hand to fire in from close range.  Also as so often happens, Harriers were unable to react to going behind and could, in fact, have found themselves further adrift before the break.  A low cross from the right found Feeney whose 20-yard shot was kept out by the body of MacKenzie and shortly afterwards Mark Creighton was shrugged off by the lively Feeney whose cross picked out Andrew Sandell who saw his shot saved by MacKenzie.  In stoppage time Harriers could have drawn level but Alex Jeannin's shot with his weaker right foot was blasted over the crossbar.

After the break Harriers enjoyed the lion's share of the possession and created a number of half-chances but they were unable to turn their dominance into goals.  Just after the hour mark substitute Matt Barnes-Homer's flick on set Christie free on goal, he held off his marker but was denied by a good save by Clarke.  Barnes-Homer was involved again later on, heading on Jeff Kenna's throw to Penn who saw his 25-yard drive fly narrowly over the bar.  In stoppage time a Michael McGrath corner from the left was headed over the bar by Luke Jones as Harriers searched for a late equaliser.