Telford 1 Kidderminster Harriers 0 - Report and pictures

Micah Evans's 25th-minute strike proved to be the difference between the teams for only Telford's second win in nine.

But only a superb fierce rearguard action from the Bucks, superbly led by captain Luca Havern and the defence kept Harriers at bay.

Keeper James Montgomery made a couple of fine saves but he was brilliantly protected by those in front of him, while the visitors had an effort disallowed for offside.

Jonathan Royle, the ballwinning midfielder signed on a three-month loan from Southport just hours before the game, was Telford's only change to the side beaten 2-1 at home by FC Halifax on Saturday.

The former Wrexham youngster replaced Lucas Dawson, who dropped to the bench alongside fit-again duo Dan Preston and Dave Hibbert, alongside Callum Gittings, playing against his old club for the first time competitively.

Preston returned after missing two games with food poisoning while Hibbert was available again after the knee injury that kept him out at the weekend.

The return of Preston and Hibbert meant there were no places in the squad for youngsters Tom Edge and Ben Osei from Saturday.

Just as they did on Saturday, Telford started well and at a high tempo, not allowing Harriers time to settle on the ball.

And the Bucks had the first effort of the game as James Hurst curled a shot into keeper Sam Hornby's arms after Evans delayed his pass and Callum Gittings helped it on.

The game then became finely balanced as Telford had to be alert to contain Harriers' fast-paced breaks without either side creating clear-cut chances.

That lasted until the 24th minute when Emmanuel Dieseruvwe flashed a powerful header well wide from Tyrell Waite's right-wing cross after getting between Luca Havern and Dwayne Samuels.

But from the resulting goal kick, Telford went ahead when against the run of play, Evans teased the Harriers defence at pace cutting in from the left in the box and his shot found the far bottom corner.

It was the second goal in as many games for Evans, who became Telford's equal two-goal top scorer with Tom Peers.

But there appeared to be an element of fortune about it as it looked as if it had been deflected off Tyrone Williams to deceive Hornby.

The goal lifted the Bucks and after conceding within six minutes of taking the lead on Saturday, they looked to reinforce their advantage by trying to keep the ball.

But instead it was fast-breaking Harriers who threatened next with a free kick from top scorer Arthur Gnahoua that drifted a couple of feet over from 25 yards just after the half hour mark.

Telford continued to look the more determined side with their high tempo, high pressing game and Josh Wilson saw a shot blocked just inside the box on 39 after taking the return from Sean Williams on his quickly-taken free kick.

But the half ended with Harriers on the attack after Samuels got a vital block on Gnahoua's volley to force successive corners, the first of which saw Waite drill into the sidenetting following a melee.

Kidderminster made a switch at half-time in a bid to get back into the game with Liam Truslove replacing Ashley Carter in midfield.

But the change failed to have the desire effect initially as Telford remained firm, with Royle providing a strong barriers in front of the defence and Gittings having a busier, more effective outing against his old club.

The Bucks continued to look highly organised in defence and determined without the ball, which meant Harriers found it hard going trying to penetrate them.

On the hour a superb ball from Sean Williams split the Harriers defence for Josh Wilson to get behind them but his pass to Gittings was met by a vital block to divert the ball away from the ex-Harriers midfielder.

There was a scare for Telford in the 65th minute as Harriers had the ball in the net.

But Truslove's effort was disallowed after Montgomery made a superb save to deny Dieseruvwe's shot from inside the box.

Three minutes later Telford brought on Hibbert to give them added strength in attack.

But before we could see Hibbert, the focus was at the other end and there was a defensive masterclass by Luca Havern, who waited before taking the ball from Dieseruvwe after the striker had beaten Bailey to go one on one.

Harriers continued to pile forward chasing the equaliser and Gnahoua's shot was deflected away and although Telford cleared the corner, Samuels had to throw himself in front of Arthur N'Gwatala's blockbuster to repel more danger.

Harriers made a double switch on 79 when Robert Stambolziev and Andre Brown replaced Elton N'Gwatala and Waite.

But instead it was Telford who were next to threaten when good play from Hibbert saw him break free and square to Wilson, whose left-foot drive swerved narrowly away from goal.

There was another scare for Telford on 85 when Gnahoua went sprawling just outside the box.

But in a woeful attempt, sub Andre Brown could only lamp the set-piece against the underside of the stand roof.

The visitors continued to press and a fierce spell of Harriers pressure on 87 ended with a low shot on the turn from Gnahoua, which was low and easy for Montgomery.

Then in the third minute of time added on, Gnahoua's shot was deflected away for a corner, and when the header came in at the far post, Sean Williams stationed on the post belted it away.

And with it went Harriers' chance of salvaging anything from this game as Telford's fierce rearguard prevailed.

Telford (4-3-3): Montgomery 8; Samuels 8, HAVERN 9, Bailey, 8 Campion 8; Royle 7, S Williams 8, Gittings 8 (Dawson 76, 6); Hurst 6 (Reynolds 61, 7), Wilson 7, Evans 7 (Hibbert 68, 7).

Subs not used: Preston, Peers.

Harriers (4-1-2-3): Hornby; T Williams, Lowe, Tunnicliffe, Francis-Angol; Carter (Truslove HT); Croasdale, N'Gwatala (Stambolziev 79); Waite (Brown 79), Dieseruvwe, Gnahoua.

Subs not used: Austin, Thomas.

Referee: Martyn Rawcliffe (Manchester)

Attendance: 1,451.