HARRIERS were left to rue a string of missed chances against bottom side Aldershot Town this afternoon as they crashed to a very disappointing 1-0 defeat at The Recreation Ground.

Confidence was high in the camp after last weekend's terrific win over Morecambe, but Harriers consistency problem again reared its ugly head to send them crashing back down to earth.

They started brightly enough though, and had two great chances to take the lead in the first ten minutes.

Firstly Gareth Sheldon did well to peel away from Lewis Hamilton and race down on goal - the end product was poor though as the midfielder shot tamely wide.

HESLOP: Blazed effort over the bar

With eight minutes on the clock the visitors squandered a golden chance after Iyseden Christie set Sheldon through on goal after receiving a good ball from Simon Russell. Sheldon again chased down Nikki Bull's goal but this time shot straight into the keeper's chest. The ball deflected up into the path of Simon Heslop who ballooned the re-bound over the bar from close range.

Just over a quarter of an hour later Martin O'Connor even got in amongst the action. Christie did well to work his way along the Aldershot box and after finding his route to goal blocked, the striker laid the ball off to O'Connor who shot almost comically over the bar.

The hosts had their first chance of the game on the half hour mark but Omari Coleman summed up the lack of confidence currently surrounding his team as he shot straight into John Danby's hands after finding himself through on goal.

Harriers had the referee's assistants' flag to thank on the stroke of half time after Ahmed Deen's terrific ball found Andre Boucaud in a dangerous yet slightly offside position.

Half time: Aldershot 0-0 Harriers

The home side almost took the lead just four minutes into the second half thanks to Darren Barnard's fantastic delivery from a free-kick. The ball sailed into the box and Garry Holloway rose above the Harriers defence but sent his strong header wide of Danby's post.

Heslop let fly with a terrific curling shot just five minutes later that dipped just a second too late as the ball nestled on top of Bull's goal.

SHELDON: A little wasteful with late chance

On 63 minutes though, the hosts managed to take the lead in somewhat fortunate circumstances. Holloway cut through into the penalty area on a great run and fired a shot at goal which was terrifically saved by the body of Danby. Sadly though the force of the shot meant the ball could only be parried up on to the waiting head of COLEMAN who had the simplest of tasks in putting the ball into the back of a near-empty net.

Six minutes later Christie almost put Harriers level in stunning style. After running free of the home defence he raced down on goal and quickly let fly with a blazing shot that Bull somehow managed to graze onto the post.

Christie was again through on goal four minutes later but was crudely brought down by Barnard on the edge of the box. With nothing but air and Nikki Bull between Christie and the back of the net, Barnard was deservedly shown a straight red card for the offence.

Ten minutes from time Sheldon found himself on the ball inside the 'Shots area after a great ball from Hatswell, but the former Exeter man fired his effort wastefully over the bar.

Christie's header deep into five minutes of injury time did little to trouble Bull and for the third time in as many weeks Harriers were again beaten without reply by the side sitting bottom of the Conference as the referee blew the whistle.

Full Time: Aldershot 1-0 Harriers

It was another dip in the rollercoaster ride for Harriers this afternoon as they, despite the defeat, didn't play as badly as they've been guilty of in recent weeks. In fairness, the side were reasonably sound defensively but the quality seemed to stop at the back-four, despite some energetic play by Heslop and Christie. Aldershot were by no means dominant but did take their chance when presented with it - had Harriers done the same they'd be emphatic winners tonight.

ALDERSHOT: Bull, Hamilton, Somner, Guyett, Barnard, Nick Crittenden (Jinadu 76), Holloway, Boucaud, Deen (Scott 45), Sills, Coleman (McPhee 71).

Subs Not Used: Weait, Reed.

HARRIERS: Danby, Evans (Thompson 83), Jackson, Hatswell, Burgess, Russell (Atieno 68), O'Connor (Wilson 72), Fleming, Heslop, Christie, Sheldon.

Subs Not Used: Burton, Hurren.

Attendance: 2,315

Referee: N Kinseley (Essex)

Website Man of the Match: Simon Heslop - A tricky choice as, in terms of effort, there were a few players in with a shout for the award. Heslop gets the nod for his constant running and ever-improving ability to find space in vital areas.