Harriers' long run without an away win continued at Exeter today with Matt Gill's second half goal enough to give the home side victory.
Harriers dominated the opening half an hour with Iyseden Christie going close on at least three occasions, most notably on 23 minutes after Andy Ferrell's perfectly-weighted ball fell almost right onto his boot as he lobbed goalkeeper Andy Marriot, the ball landing on the roof of the net.
Great hold up play from Matthew Barnes-Homer three minutes later then saw Christie back in on goal as he spun and hit a powerful effort that curled just wide.
Late in the half, Christie was again the man involved as he got in the tightest of crosses in from the by-line; the ball beat Marriot and made it all the way to Penn who stretched his head to get on the end of it, but could only send it wide.
As City grew in confidence towards the end of the half you couldn't help but feel that failure to take those chances would cost the away side dear.
That eventually proved to be the case - Harriers were very poor at best in the second half and were made to pay when GILL burst through in to the box and finished powerfully past MacKenzie on 58 minutes.
There was then virtually nothing from the men in yellow for the next half an hour - the hosts began to defend deeper as to protect what was a precious lead.
Richard Logan did have a good Exeter chance not long after their opener - he squirmed free of his man before chipping a shot that MacKenzie did excellently to tip over the bar.
In typical fashion for Harriers, there was the customary late rally and two excellent chances in the dying seconds of the game.
Marriot saved well from a close-range Christie header, before in injury time substitute Darryl Knights volleyed high over the bar from close-range, getting on the end of Russ Penn's corner. In the end it was too little, too late.
Don't forget Harriers are at home this coming Monday, 24th March with Rushden & Diamonds as the visitors. Kick-off at Aggborough is 3.00pm.















