Most eyes were on Paul Connor but the record signing looked a little rusty in his general play although the uneven surface didn't help matters. It didn't seem to help the rest of the team either as a series of calamitous incidents consigned them to a heavy defeat.

Harriers first goal came from the spot after Gilks was adjudged to have brought down a Kidderminster forward. The second goal was set up by a rebound off the referee which fell to Shilton and he knocked the ball home.

The third goal appeared to be well offside but was allowed to stand. The Harriers added a fourth before the final whistle brought proceedings to a close.

The nearest Dale came to replying was a low shot from Flitcroft that brought a good save from the Harriers keeper although Connor was unlucky when the keeper a defender and himself all went for the same ball and somehow it ended up in the keepers hands.

Overall it wasn't a good day for the reserves but at least the injury crisis now looks like it is abating somewhat with the appearance of Connor, Coleman, Atkinson and Ware.

It hasn't been a good week for the junior teams at Spotland with a weakened Youth side crashing out of the FA Youth Cup by 5 goals to nil against Tranmere.
 
Dale's cause wasn't helped by the absence of star forward Patrick McCourt who was playing for Northern Ireland in a friendly game against Macclesfield on the same night.