Late goals from Matty Blair and Keith Briggs earn Kidderminster Harriers a 2-2 draw against Histon

May 1 2011 by Colin Stoner, Sunday Mercury

TWO goals in the space of a minute spared Kidderminster from an embarrassing end-of-season defeat against rock-bottom side Histon.

It took two top-class saves from Harriers’ player of the season Danny Lewis to prevent Histon from putting the game out of sight before goals from Matty Blair and Keith Briggs signalled a comeback.

Histon had weathered early Harriers pressure and should have taken the lead on 23 minutes when Danny Sparkes waltzed past several half-hearted tackles before setting up skipper Antonio Murray but the Histon striker shot straight at Lewis with the goal at his mercy.

Harriers went straight back up field where Jamille Matt slipped the ball to Blair on the edge of the area who fired an angled drive past Histon goalkeeper Wesley Foderingham but somehow defender Ekran Okay managed to get back and head off the line.

Histon grew in confidence as the half progressed with Murray firing a 30-yard effort just over on the half hour and then Omer Riza sent a glancing header inches wide.

Histon went close again on 38 minutes when Murray’s first-time shot from Lee Smith’s left-wing cross went just wide of the post.

However, Histon had their reward on 40 minutes when Harriers central defender Mark Albrighton dwelt on the ball too long and was robbed by the lively Riza who calmly rolled the ball past the advancing Lewis to put them ahead.

Histon spent the first 20 minutes of the second half penned back inside their own half, but Harriers could find no way through. That enabled Histon to grow in confidence, and they began to create further chances to extend their lead.

On 67 minutes Riza was put in the clear and tried to round Lewis, but the Harriers’ shot-stopper pulled off a superb save to keep Histon at bay.

Five minutes later, Riza found himself clean through Harriers’ defence again, and Lewis tipped his shot over the crossbar.

However, on 76 minutes, Harriers were caught out again when Murray produced a fabulous curling shot from 20 yards out to double Histon’s advantage.

Harriers were staring an embarrassing defeat in the face, but two goals in the space of 60 seconds spared their blushes.

On 77 minutes, winger Blair intercepted a square pass from Histon’s Zac Mills to fire home his 11th goal of the season.

Before Histon knew what had hit them, Harriers snapped up a second goal when substitute Robert Thompson-Brown set up Briggs, whose shot took a wicked deflection to beat Foderingham.