THE white handkerchiefs being waved in mock surrender by the loyal York City fans told a sorry story at Kidderminster.

Having watched their Minstermen heroes concede four goals to a side who had only scored three at home all season, the travelling faithful were left wondering why they had bothered making the four-hour trip south.

Kidderminster had belied their lowly position and supposed lack of firepower to completely outplay York and should have in all reality scored more.

A first-half strike from Drewe Broughton had been cancelled out by a sensational effort from Lee Nogan to give City hope of snatching something from the clash.

But two goals in two minutes from Abdou Sall and Ian Foster immediately after the break put a swift end to it.

Broughton added to the misery with his second shortly after the hour, leading to repeated chants of 'Dolan Out!'.

It is very unlikely boss Terry Dolan will go, but he knows he cannot afford too many performances like these.

For the first 45 minutes York were never at the races - with the home team wondering how they were not completely out of sight.

The score could have been 5-0 after just 20 minutes as York were swept away by a sea of red shirts.

Harriers boss Jan Molby opted to play a three-pronged attack with Broughton, Foster and Colin Larkin - and the deadly trio were irrepressible.

But, two goalline clearances and some sensational saves from the in-form Alan Fettis ensured York stayed in sight.

Mark Blake was the first to see a goalbound effort cleared off the line - Chris Smith getting his head to the ball to spare Fettis' blushes after he had first flapped at Ian Clarkson's cross and then stranded himself trying to chase it clear.

Fettis redeemed himself though as he dived low to deny Broughton when he was clean through.

The Northern Ireland international was to the rescue again minutes later when he managed to tip Dean Bennett's dipping effort over the bar.

The let off was short-lived for City though as Broughton finally found a way through in the 12th-minute - rising unmarked at the back post to head home Foster's centre.

It could have been 2-0 within 60 seconds, but Blake could only find the side netting after catching the defence napping.

It was all one-way traffic with Kidderminster piling forward in droves and Broughton was profiting the most.

Having finally broken his duck for the season, Broughton should had added to it further, firstly he had a shot well saved by Fettis after a delightful one-two with Larkin, and then he had a header cleared off the line by Neville Stamp.

It took City 41 minutes to look threatening going forward and to get a shot on target - Smith having his header from a Christian Fox cross scrambled away, while Proctor and Nogan linked up brilliantly only for Stuart Brock to beat the on-loan Sunderland ace to the ball.

City got the breakthrough on the stroke of half-time, Proctor's pin-point cross beautifully volleyed home by Nogan.

Instead of building on this in the second half, City went to sleep and let the game escape them.

With Gary Hobson replacing the injured Matt Hocking, the defence should have been tightened, but within minutes it was 3-1 to Harriers.

Fettis made a great save to deny Danny Williams, but from the resulting corner - taken by Williams - Senegal-born defender Sall rose to nod home at the back post for a goal on his debut.

Foster, who was a menace all night, quickly added to the tally as he picked up Broughton's knock down to curl in a scintillating effort.

City tried to regroup, with Proctor and Nogan battling away for little reward against Hinton and the impressive Sall.

Proctor did spot a half-chance but his dipping first-time effort from 35 yards was tipped onto the bar by Brock. Who knows what might have happened if this effort had gone in - especially as City are yet to lose when the hit-man has scored - but hopes this might spark a comeback were dashed when Harriers added goal number four - much to the amazement of their fans.

Sall's through ball left the City back four rooted to the spot and Larkin pounced. His shot was brilliantly saved by Fettis, but he could do little to stop Broughton firing home the rebound.

City, prompted by skipper Chris Brass, did to their credit keep fighting. Proctor again denied by the sprawling body of Brock, while Nogan was halted by Hinton.

But with chances going begging, Harriers sensed their chance add a fifth - Matt Lewis coming off the bench to almost mark his debut with a goal.

The fifth never came as referee Paul Armstrong blew to put City out their misery, and accept the surrender of fans.

Fact file:

Kidderminster:

Scorers: Broughton 12, 62, Sall 48, Foster 49

Brock, Stamps, Hinton, Williams (Shilton 76), Broughton, Foster (Lewis 76), Clarkson, Bennett, Blake, Sall, Larkin (Hadley 76). Subs (not used): Murphy, Bird.

Bookings: Williams 8 (foul)

Sent-off: None

York City:

Scorer: Nogan 45

York City: Fettis 8, Smith 5 (Basham 64), Maley 5 (Richardson 76), Stamp 4, Hocking 4 (Hobson HT), Cooper 5, Brass 7, Bullock 6, Fox 4, Proctor 6, Nogan 7. Subs (not used): Howarth, O'Kane.

Bookings: Basham 72 (foul), Brass 74 (foul)

Sent-off: None

Attendance: 2,002

Ref: Paul Armstrong (Berkshire)