HARRIERS fans will have to continue to wait to see their first home win of the season but after tonight's draw with Rushden and Diamonds at Aggborough there was at least a vast improvement on Monday's defeat to Woking.

This evening's game was hardly a footballing spectacle but Mark Yates' men dug in deep to grab themselves something to build on in next weekend's home game with Tamworth.

Paul Hart's Rushden looked a tidy and professional outfit and, like Harriers were defensively sound in a clash during which both sides simply cancelled each other out.

There wasn't much throughout the night in the way of goalmouth action but Luke Reynolds had a great chance late in the second half whilst the returning Iyseden Christie looked lively.

Simeon Jackson looked dangerous for the visitors, as did Marcus Kelly, who's 16th minute cross towards Jon Ashton gave the game it's first chance but Ashton's header was held with comfort by Bevan.

Mark Creighton (above) and the rest of the boys at the back for Harriers were resolute and former Redditch man Creighton managed to get forward for a good chance just before the half hour mark, though he could only direct his header from Jake Sedgemore's cross into the ground.

Michael Blackwood had a shot held by Nicky Eyre in the Rushden goal after Stuart Whitehead slipped a neat ball through ten minutes before the break.

Creighton repeated his effort early in the second half but it was Rushden who had a good chance to take the lead with just over an hour gone; Jackson let fly with a strong shot from outside the area that Scott Bevan got down well to parry.

Reynold's chance came 12 minutes before the end after he latched on to a neat ball inside the area - the ex-AFC Telford man waited just too long before pulling the trigger though and Eyre was able to save well with his feet.

Rushden had a late penalty appeal waved away as they tried to find a way through in injury time.

Harriers have a chance to take things one step further and pick up their second win of the season when Tamworth visit Aggborough next Saturday.

Harriers: Bevan, Harkness, Creighton, Whitehead, Kenna, Blackwood, McClen (Reynolds 58), Penn, Smikle, Sedgemore, Christie (Sturridge 81).
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Hurren, Russell.

Rushden and Diamonds: Eyre, Watson, Hatswell, Hope, Wilson, Kelly, Ashton, Chillingworth (Savage 85), Shaw (Pearson 81), Jackson (Berry 89), Rankine.
Subs Not Used: Crane, Fortune-West.

Attendance: 1,850 (230 Rushden fans)

Referee: M. Matadar (Lancs)

Sponsors' Man of the Match, chosen by Broome House Rest Home: Russell Penn