Kidderminster Harriers 2 Forest Green Rovers 2

Last updated : 04 November 2006 By Footymad Previewer
Iyseden Christie scored a dramatic injury time penalty to ruin Forest Green Rovers' bid to win their first away Conference game for 14 months.

Christie was spot on after Rovers seemed set for maximum points after goals from Alex Meechan and Simon Clist. Meechan broke the deadlock in the 15th minute before Christie equalised eight minutes later.

Clist put Jim Harvey's troops back into the lead on the stroke of half time before Christie scored from the spot to prevent Rovers from capturing their first away league success since overcoming Harriers 3-1 at Aggborough in September last year.

Kidderminster soon caused Forest Green problems when Reuben Reid won possession to give Simon Russell the chance to go on a determined run down the right flank. His low cross then found Craig Nelthorpe who had his shot saved with difficulty by goalkeeper Steve Williams.

The visitors responded with a deflected cross by Kevin Nicholson which found Danny Williams, whose 15 yard volley went wide.

Rovers however went ahead when a loose pass by Mark Creighton led to a scramble in which the Harriers failed to clear and allowed Meechan to fire past goalkeeper Scott Bevan.

Harriers got back on level terms with a well worked goal. Reid played his part in the build-up which led to Russell sending over a perfect cross for Christie to head home.

Forest Green had a good chance to regain the lead shortly afterwards when Meechan failed to connect from close range following a cross from Les Afful.

Kidderminster were always trying hard to push forward and Russ Penn tried his luck with a 22 yard shot which flew wide.

After Creighton had been booked for a foul on Afful, Rovers earned the first corner of the game in the 40th minute, but it came to nothing.

Rovers went back into the lead during the one minute of stoppage time in the first half. Bevan did well to beat out a fierce shot from Matt Robinson which led to Clist stabbing the ball home thanks to another bout of indecisive defensive play by Harriers.
Kidderminster took two minutes of the second half to get in a shot at goal, but Gavin Hurren's powerful long range effort drifted just wide.

Penn also had a shot safely gathered by 'keeper Williams before Harriers' boss Mark Yates began making changes by introducing Brian Smikle for Nelthorpe in the 58th minute.

Ten minutes later Andy White replaced on-loan front-runner Reid and within a few seconds Kidderminster gained their first corner. It was taken by Russell and headed well wide by White.

Rovers were well organised in defence and continued to make it a frustrating afternoon for Harriers who continually found it difficult to breakthrough.

Penn curled over a free kick from in front of goal during the closing stages in which Michael Blackwood drilled in a drive which whistled just over the bar.

Harriers finally grabbed a share of the spoils when Christie, after being held by substitute Christian Edwards inside the area, scored with his perfectly struck penalty.