Kidderminster Harriers and Dorking Wanderers played out a stalemate at Aggborough to keep both sides in sight of relegation.
Phil Brown and Marc White’s men were both looking to build on positive performances, Brown having won his last four league games in a row to start his tenure in Worcestershire, whilst the latter’s side got three points clear of safety with a 1-0 win over York City in midweek.
It was a scrappy opening 15 minutes however the first chance came the hosts’ way, with Ashley Hemmings’ smart cross meeting the head of Sam Bellis, but his effort went wide.
The game however became quite stop start, as Dorking had two players carded in the early exchanges, Niall McManus for dissent, and Jason Prior for a crunching tackle. That was coupled with Reiss McNally having to recieve treatment for a nasty landing on an exchange for the ball, however he was able to continue.
Harriers continued to build as the interval approached, with Amari Morgan Smith going close, just over the bar, and perhaps the chance of the game came to Hemmings when his shot stung the palms of Wanderers keeper Harrison Male.
The second half became more quiet, as both sides defended against each other resolutely, giving Male and former Wrexham shot-stopper Christian Dibble with little to do in goal.
The 3,745 in attendance at Aggborough on Saturday afternoon had little entertainment until the referee overruled his linesman on a throw in call, to rapturous jeers from the crowd.
Dorking’s first big chance came in the 66th minute as Josh Taylor had an effort smartly saved at Dibble’s near post. Six minutes later, a nice routine from George Francomb in the area met Prior but his effort also went wide of the mark.
Regan Griffiths, a new signing formerly of Crewe Alexandra, saw his name up in lights after coming on for The Reds, but his effort dragged wide.
As the game entered its final moments, a chance came the way of substitute Gold Omotayo but his header was nothing to trouble Male in the Wanderers net.
It finished goalless then between the two sides, both sides perhaps happy with a point but disappointed perhaps when the game was there for the taking. Up next for Harriers is the visit of Gateshead on Tuesday February 20, and Dorking next welcome Ebbsfleet United to Meadowbank on Saturday February 24.
The point keeps Dorking in 19th place on 38 points, but drops Brown’s men into 23rd on 33 points, two points off safety with 13 games left to play.
