Kidderminster 0, York City 1

The Minstermen leapfrogged Rushden and Diamonds in the battle for play-off places after Neil Barrett’s 67th-minute goal settled matters at Aggborough.

’Keeper Michael Ingham also played a starring role for Martin Foyle’s men with a string of late saves to ensure victory.

City manager Foyle made no changes to the side that started last Tuesday’s 1-0 victory at Mansfield.

Hosts Kidderminster’s bench, meanwhile, included former Minsterman Adam Boyes, who is on loan at Aggborough from Championship club Scunthorpe.

In a strange attempt at humour, Kidderminster welcomed City on to the pitch with the theme of Emmerdale.

But the visitors settled into their stride swiftly with Paul Harsley firing an ambitious 35-yard effort wide in the third minute.

Home midfielder Dean Bennett then cleared off the line after Djoumin Sangare had met Courtney Pitt’s inswinging corner with his shins.

Moments later, on-loan Ross Atkins made a comfortable save from Michael Gash’s header and Neil Barrett skewed well wide from long range.

Kidderminster finished the half stronger, though, led by rampaging left-back Lee Baker.

On 26 minutes, Baker drove forward before flashing a 30-yard drive across the face of Ingham’s goal.

James Lawrie then headed wide from a Baker cross and, another unchecked raid down the left by the determined full-back, saw a surprised Robbie Matthews miss the target from five yards after Luke Graham had failed to clear.

Captain Chris McPhee also shot over from 25 yards and centre-back Tom Sharpe glanced a header wide from Darryl Knights’ corner.

Ingham’s only save of the first period, however, came from a harmless miscued cross by right-back Duane Courtney.

On 51 minutes, Harsley was presented with a great chance to open the scoring after Gash’s slip following a Brodie left-wing cross left him a free shot on goal.

But the on-loan Chesterfield midfielder’s sidefooted ten-yard effort was pushed around his right-hand post by Atkins.

The primary goal threat at the other end came from the same source.

In the 58th minute, Knights headed wide from a Baker cross, Matthews then headed straight at Ingham after a dangerously-delivered free-kick from the full-back.

Harriers boss Steve Burr made the first changes of the night with Jack Byrne and Marc Goodfellow entering the action on 65 minutes.

But, within two minutes, the visitors were in front.

Clarke sent a curling cross from the right into the Kidderminster penalty area and, when the ball bounced up invitingly for Barrett, the former Portsmouth midfielder crashed a ten-yard strike into Atkins’ top right-hand corner, Kidderminster’s response was strong with Ingham pulling off three fine saves to deny Goodfellow twice and McPhee.

Match facts

Kidderminster 0, York City 1 (Barrett 67)

York City: Michael Ingham 9, Ben Purkiss 7, Djoumin Sangare 8, Luke Graham 7, James Meredith 8, Paul Harsley 8, Jamie Clarke 7, Neil Barrett 8, Courtney Pitt 7, Richard Brodie 7, Michael Gash 7.

Substitutions: Adam Smith (for Pitt, 74); Michael Rankine (for Gash, 79).

Not used: Richard Pacquette, David McGurk, Daniel Parslow.

Key: 10 – Faultless; 9 – Outstanding; 8 – Excellent; 7 – Good; 6 – Average; 5 – Below par; 4 – Poor; 3 – Dud; 2 – Hopeless; 1 – Retire.

City’s star man: Michael Ingham – safe hands as usual with a string of important late saves.

Kidderminster Harriers: Ross Atkins, Duane Courtney, Martin Riley, Tom Sharpe, Lee Baker, Chris McPhee, Dean Bennett (Jack Byrne, 65), Brian Smikle, Darryl Knights (Adam Boyes, 78), Robbie Matthews, James Lawrie (Marc Goodfellow, 65). Subs not used: Gavin Caines, Jasbir Singh.

Booked: None.

Shots on target: Harriers 8, City 4.

Shots off target: Harriers 7, City 2.

Corners: Harriers 5, City 9.

Fouls conceded: Harriers 13, City 14.

Offsides: Harriers 2, City 2.

Referee: Andy Hendley (W Midlands).

Attendance: 1,127 (135 City fans).