A solid performance from Harriers saw them inflict Southport's first home defeat of the season.

Steve Burr made just one, enforced, change to the starting line-up from team that had beaten Forest Green in midweek bringing in Jack Byrne in place of Callum Gittings. With James Dance suspended and numbers limited there was a surprise appearance on the bench of Jamie Tolley.

Harriers started the game brightly and could have b een ahead as early as the third minute when Lee Fowler and Byrne combined to set up Joe Lolley who saw his shot tipped over the bar by Danny Hurst in the 'Port goal.

The opening goal wasn't long in coming, though, and with eight minutes on the clock Fowler set Lee Vaughan away on the right, his cross to the far post was met by Amari Morgan-Smith and when the ball came back off the post Lolley was on hand to stab it home.

After Karl Ledsham had headed over on 27 minutes to give Harriers a scare the home team drew level three minutes before the break; Jamie Milligan's free kick from deep on the left was met at the far post by James Smith who saw his header initially parried by Nathan Vaughan but the ball squirmed away from him and into the back of the net.

Harriers hit back in stoppage time, though, with the lively Lolley setting up Lee Vaughan to cross from the right to the hear post where Nathan Blissett rose to head in his first goal of the season.

After the break there was not so much excitement. On 64 minutes substitute Marvin Johnson saw his cross from the left skim the top of the crossbar and late on had a shot saved to win a corner. With two minutes left a great last-ditch block by Byrne to deny Danny Hattersley ensured that Harriers held on to take all three points.