Harriers remain without a win in 11 following defeat at Aldershot today but confidence should be boosted by a much improved performance by the side.

Harriers have been accused of late of a lack of effort and going 'through the motions' as their poor run of form continued, but there was no sign of that this afternoon as Mark Yates' men presented a stern test to the league leaders.

Going with a 4-5-1 formation with Matthew Barnes-Homer as the '1', it was something of surprise when the visitors shocked the 2,800 crowd by taking the lead just three minutes in.

The energetic Barnes-Homer had already let defender Anthony Charles know he was in for a busy afternoon, chasing down balls with pace. Creighton's ball forward saw the two of them matched up again as the former Wycombe striker chased it down - In front of goal, Charles fell under pressure leaving BARNES-HOMER free in front of goal to finish wonderfully past Nikki Bull.

It was a just reward for Harriers' bright opening, but poor defending let them down as the home side drew level two minutes later. Chris MacKenzie had already made one good save in a goal mouth scramble in which Harriers failed to clear their lines - Daniel HYLTON wasn't going to need to be asked more than once, and eventually fired home the equaliser from close-range.

The men in yellow remained upbeat, though, and on 11 minutes could easily have had a second, as Alex Jeannin fired in a fantastic cross from deep that Barnes-Homer was only able to head wide.

Four minutes further on and it was action down at the other head, with MacKenzie pulling off a fine save from a Ben Harding header, Joel Grant's cross providing the opposition.

Brian Smikle put in an excellent shift this afternoon, most notably in the first period. As the half went on, he ghosted Anthony Straker as if it wasn't even there, putting in a low ball from the by-line that was just too much for Barnes-Homer to control. The striker was able to ship the ball out to Michael McGrath who, from inside the area, forced safe hands from Bull.

Deservedly level at the break, Harriers had a great chance to make it 2-1 just seconds after the interval. Paul Bignot whipped in an irresistible ball that landed almost directly onto the boot of McGrath who volleyed over.

Barely eight minutes into the second period, Aldershot boss Garry Waddock looked to a have seen enough in making three substitutions at once, including bringing on Junior Mendes to make his debut.

It took a while for any of the fresh blood to make a breakthrough with a determined Harriers side defending solidly and making good use of attacks as they developed.

Four minutes after the hour, MacKenzie showed good handling to hold from a Scott Davies' corner.

On 66 minutes, though, the hosts got their breakthrough and took the lead. With Harriers coming out on top in all the defensive battles in the area, it was clear Town would have to try something from a little further out and you didn't have to guess what was on the mind of HARDING, as he latched on to Grant's pass before drilling a great 20-yard finish past MacKenzie.

Nine minutes later sub Iyseden Christie had a good chance to make it 2-2, he got up well to Bignot's ball, but got under it rather than over it and could only put the header off target.

Five minutes from time Harriers had a decent shout for a penalty that seemingly went unnoticed by almost everyone in the ground. Jeannin's delivery from a free-kick was good, but Mark Creighton was floored in the area, only for the free-kick to be given the way of the home side.

A fantastic chance to grab a share of the spoils came the way of the visiting side in the closing seconds - Christie latched onto a ball into the area and looked set to finish into the top corner of the net and shot well, only for Bull to deny him with an excellent save.

Many will argue Harriers deserved a point from today but after such a difficult recent spell, it'll be the improved performance from the side that pleases most - all eyes are now on Aggborough this Tuesday night as Steve Bull brings his Stafford Rangers side to town (7.45pm).