Recap: Spennymoor 1-2 Harriers

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HARRIERS kept up the pressure on teams in the play-offs with an important 2-1 win over Spennymoor Town.

The Reds scored two first-half goals to snare three points away from Jason Ainsley’s men, including Amari Morgan-Smith’s outrageous drive with just nine minutes on the clock.

That opener came after Kai Lissimore had already gone close in a first half that very much had Harriers on top. Morgan-Smith advanced with the ball, cut inside and drilled a rising effort with power that clipped off the post and found the net.

Joe McGlynn’s effort after a good run, just after the goal, was rewarded by a goal kick despite an obvious deflection, but Spennymoor took that as a let-off and soon levelled. Paul Blackett was alert to Glen Taylor’s flick header and, from 20 yards, lobbed the ball over Tom Palmer.

A dangerous corner put Byrne in on goal with 32 played but he saw his low shot saved by the goalkeeper – but greater joy came six minutes later when the stopper spilled another Byrne corner, Reiss McNally on hand to net his first Harriers goal from close range and make it 2-1.

Morgan-Smith went close to making it 3-1 just before the interval as another fierce drive was well saved.

In terms of chances, a quiet second half only really came to life with a quarter-hour left to play. First, more good strength from McGlynn saw him keep the ball well and shoot low. That effort was blocked and Morgan-Smith’s attempt to finish the follow-up saw him denied by a save.

Just after, Krystian Pearce’s outstanding intervention at the other end prevented Corey McKeown’s goalbound shot from crashing into the net.

Palmer did his own share of work to make sure of the points. He made two key saves, either side of the 90th minute. First he showed great reactions to tip Reece Kendall’s header over the bar, and got down low minutes later to smother a diving header from Blackett on the hunt for his second.

Get full team news and key match facts at The Match Centre.

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