Harriers were brought back down to earth following their Opening Day victory with defeat at the hands of newly-promoted Southport.

In a game that swung in both directions Harriers took an early lead, fell behind, levelled the scores again before finally being edged out by the odd goal in seven.  There was only one change to the starting line-up, Nick Wright coming in for his first start in place of Lee Morris who wasn't risked after picking up a hamstring injury at York.

Harriers had a dream start, taking the lead after just four minutes; a deep cross by Tom Shaw from the right was chased down on the opposite flank by Marc Albrighton who crossed back into the danger area, Chris McPhee's flick headed away from goal but dropped perfectly for Michael Briscoe who lashed a stunning volley past Tony McMillan in the visitors' goal.

Harriers were well on top in the opening stages but failed to build upon their early superiority.  Midway though the half Harriers were given a warning when Matty McGinn made a surging run on the right and crossed towards the near post where Tony Gray saw his shot parried by Danny Lewis and at the far post, following up on the loose ball, Michael Powell fired against the bar.  The warning wasn't heeded and Harriers were pegged back 12 minutes before the break; failing to clear McGinn's long throw from the left Harriers were undone by a fantastic strike from Matty McNeil.  On 35 minutes Harriers could have restored their lead when Callum Gittings headed a cross back across the face of goal to Wright who headed wide.

Sloppy defending allowed McNeil to put the visitors ahead two minutes into the second half; a corner from the left was allowed to reach Chris Lever beyond the far post who headed back across goal to McNeil who was left with a simple close-range header.  Ten minutes later Harriers were back on level terms; Dave Hankin's long pass set Wright away on the right and he hit a blistering drive from a narrow angle to give McMillan no chance and register his first goal for the club.

Harriers pressed forward looking to regain the lead; Jack Byrne's pass put Gittings clear on the left, he beat the full-back but then lifted his shot over the bar.  shortly afterwards Hankin saw a shot cleared off the line by Robbie Williams.  At the other end Harriers were carved open by a long ball on their left leaving McNeil clear but he blasted his shot wide.

More disappointing defending saw Southport back in front 17 minutes from the end; Lewis flapped at a Paul Barratt cross from the right and the ball dropped invitingly for Matt McGinn who drilled the loose ball back into the net.  Seven minutes from time the visitors increased their lead when Briscoe was penalised for handball in the penalty area; McGinn sent Lewis the wrong way from the spot to put the visitors in control.

Marc Williams came off the bench to make his début and with three minutes left bravely dived to head in McPhee's cross from the right to bring Harriers back into the game.  He did have the ball in the back of the net again before the end of the game only to be ruled offside.  In the last minute Wright went close to an equaliser but headed from Keith Briggs' free-kick from deep on the right.