Chester 1-0 Kidderminster Harriers

Kidderminster Harriers' Conference play-off hopes suffered a setback as they slipped to defeat at Chester.

Craig Mahon scored the game's only goal on the half hour, picking up the ball on the edge of the area and creating space before curling past Danny Lewis.

Chester goalkeeper Jon Worsnop helped his side hang on for all three points with two superb saves late on.

Aman Verma was kept out from close range before Danny Wright was denied by a one-handed stop in injury time.

Despite being beaten by their former boss Steve Burr for the first time, Harriers are still fifth in the Conference table, but sixth-placed Eastleigh are two points behind with four games in hand.

Burr's Chester move up to 15th - nine points shy of the play-offs, but 13 points clear of trouble.

The home side were handicapped by the loss of skipper Matty Brown, who went off after just three minutes with a hamstring injury, to be replaced by Ben Heneghan.

Chester keeper Jon Worsnop told BBC Radio Merseyside:

"Kidderminster couldn't live with Craig Mahon. He was fantastic. His finish was great. He works on things like that in training. When Mahony's on it he is really on it he's unplayable.

"The gaffer told us at half time that Kidderminster were going to come at us and fair they did up their game. We all reminded ourselves that we were one up and had been in the same situation before and that it was important to make sure we didn't lose.

"We were guilty of sitting back a little bit and we were fortunate at times, but we are quite solid and the difference is that the lads have thrown their bodies on the line and shown a real desire to win."

Chester manager Steve Burr told BBC Radio Merseyside:

"It's nice to get the three points and I suppose obviously it's nice to beat your old club.

"I had some special times at Kiddy and I'm not one to gloat about the fact we've beat them because I'm not like that.

"I'm just pleased that in two games with them, we've took four points off a side who are going for promotion."

Kidderminster Harriers manager Gary Whild told BBC Hereford & Worcester:

"We're not downhearted. We were a threat. We put balls into the box, created chances and their keeper made two or three outstanding saves. He was man of the match.

"Although it's a decent finish from their lad, the goal we conceded was a bit sloppy defensively.

"We were very flat for some reason in the first half but, in the second half I wouldn't fault the lads. We set out to play, with a lot more desire and quality. But the game lasts 90 minutes and it's as though something needs to happen to galvanise us, and that's a disappointment."