Kidderminster Harriers 1-2 Dartford

Dartford claimed their first league win in three months as Kidderminster Harriers slumped to a first defeat under new manager Andy Thorn.

Harriers trailed inside three minutes when Max Cornhill headed home Alex Woodyard's cross from close range.

Andy Pugh made it two, netting after Harriers goalkeeper Danny Lewis could only parry Alex Wall's low shot.

Michael Gash bundled home from close range but the closest Harriers came to an equaliser was when he hit the bar.

With one eye seemingly on this Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Sunderland, Harriers could have been four down at the break against the relegation-threatened Darts.

Wall also hit the post before Lewis did well to deny Darts skipper Elliot Bradbrook on a heavy, rain-lashed, badly-scarred pitch.

After Gash had turned in Lee Vaughan's cross to finally get Harriers on the scoresheet with his 11th goal of the season, he then powered an acrobatic right-foot volley against the bar.

But, despite Jim Stevenson's speculative 35-yard lob dropping just over, it was the 14 soaking wet visiting fans on the away terrace who went home happy after their side's first league victory since beating Hyde on 19 October.

In their first game since the six-figure departure of Joe Lolley to Huddersfield Town, to add to the Harriers' frustration, skipper Kyle Storer played through a second-half ankle injury and could be a doubt for Saturday's Cup tie at the Stadium of Light.

Both new signings Adrian Cieslewicz and Santiago Aloi made their debut as second-half substitutes for Harriers, who remain sixth, a point outside the Conference Premier play-off zone.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Kidderminster Harriers manager Andy Thorn told BBC Hereford & Worcester:

"I've seen it so many times. If you take your eye off the ball things like that can happen. Everyone's disappointed as we know we're better than that.

"Once we got the boys in at half-time and had a few words, I thought we we had a chance, and could have nicked something.

"I was pleased with the way we came back second half and got on the front foot. Another day something might have dropped for us.

"It's going to be a massive day for us on Saturday and I'm sure we'll do ourselves justice, but this was one that got away from us."

Dartford boss Tony Burman told BBC Hereford & Worcester:

"In the first half, I thought we played really well. It could have been three or four.

"We broke up Kidderminster's attacking play, broke on the counter attack and it worked for us today. I'm absolutely delighted for the players and supporters.

"It's a massive lift. We've been through a devastating run of results. I thought we thoroughly deserved to win.

"It's never ending and it's ruthless but we'll enjoy nights like tonight. I don't think we're a poor side but hopefully we can build on tonight's performance."