Kidderminster Harriers 2 Swansea City 0

Last updated : 24 February 2004 By Footymad Previewer

It was a day of firsts for Kidderminster as they hauled themselves away from the edge of the relegation zone with a crucial win.

This was their first victory of 2004 and it saw them grab their first goal for 374 minutes to end a run of eight league games without success.

And the goals came from two recent recruits - Ian Foster and Jesper Christiansen, who chalked up their first goals.

Jan Molby will be breathing a huge sigh of relief after his side halted a desperate run that had seen them plummet to within a point of the relegation places.

They had been right out of luck in front of goal and had managed only two strikes since Christmas but the turning point came when fortune smiled on them in the 59th minute.

Swansea keeper Roger Freestone should have had no trouble picking up a loose through ball from Adam Murray but somehow managed to lose it and allow Foster to run on and roll it into an empty net.

Foster's return to Kidderminster, on loan from Chester City, had raised the eyebrows of some home fans earlier in the month - but suddenly the striker released at the end of last season was the darling of Aggborough.

And seven minutes later, Kidderminster struck again following a fine move that had the visitors defence bemused.

Murray sent Scott Rickards scampering away down the right and his pinpoint cross was headed home in style by Christiansen for his first goal in English football following his new year transfer from Danish club Odense.

The goals sealed an excellent second half display from the home side who thoroughly deserved the points for a gutsy performance.

But it could have been so different after a stuttering first half that saw Swansea produce the more thoughtful football.

The visitors now looked to have blown their chances of making the play-offs and will be disappointed they did not hit the mark after being in control for the first 45 minutes.

Leon Britton, Roberto Martinez and Lee Trundle all came close but the best efforts were produced by Andy Robinson whose smart free kicks were thwarted by home keeper Stuart Brock.

The first from 20 yards in the 26th minute saw Brock make a superb one-handed save as the ball arrowed towards the top corner.

The second ten minutes later was five yards further out and this time Brock needed a little good fortune as he managed to scuff the ball around the post after seeing it late.