The Bucks’ nine-game unbeaten run came to a shuddering halt on Tuesday night, as Kidderminster ran out 3-0 winners at Aggborough.

Already with a number of injuries to key players, the Bucks were further depleted by illness that swept through the team. It left Kevin Wilkin without three of his recognised centre backs while a fourth, David Solademi, was only fit enough for the bench.

Capitalising on the Bucks’ unfamiliar defence, and just as they had done in their previous two games against Fylde and Hereford, Harriers made a flying start to the game. Ryley Reynolds and Reece Devine had each had presentable opportunities before Emeka Obi gave Kiddy the lead in the 5th minute. A ball forward was flicked on by Amari Morgan-Smith to put a suspiciously offside-looking Obi in the clear, who calmly slotted home from 12 yards out.

Telford were struggling to find any kind of rhythm, as Harriers pressed high up the pitch and forced the Bucks to go long. There weren’t any attempts of note from Wilkin’s men in the first half, although the Bucks did look to have a strong claim for a penalty in the 19th minute when Remi Walker was dragged down as he burst into the box, referee Jason Porter waved it away though.

David Davis fired wide from the edge of the box for the hosts, before Porter has the subject of the Telford faithful’s ire again in the 39th minute, when Reece Devine was fortunate to stay on the pitch after he aimed something between a kick and a stamp at Ammar Dyer. The referee didn’t see the the initial incident, though, and booked both players for the handbags that followed. 1-0 to Kidderminster at the break.

Just as they had done in the first half, Harriers made a fast start to the second half and duly doubled their lead in the 54th minute. Charlie Cooper was given far too much room as he strode forward from midfield to the edge of the Bucks’ box before firing a shot low into Josh Gracey’s bottom right corner.

Wilkin’s men had another strong shout for a penalty in the 60th minute, when Jimmy Armson was wrestled to the ground by Ashley Hemmings at a corner. While the Bucks’ best chance of the game came in the 62nd minute – Dyer’s cross from the right found Stenson unmarked around ten yards out, but the Bucks’ top scorer headed wide of the post.

If they hadn’t already, Kiddy put the game to bed in the 75th minute. Davis’ deep cross to the back post found Devine who dispatched a superb volley back across goal and into the corner to make it 3-0. Kurt Willoughy and Joe Foulkes then fired decent chances over the bar as the game drew to a close.

Although the Bucks didn’t get the rub of the green with some of the decisions, Kidderminster were certainly the better team and deserved their win. The Bucks will be hoping for a few more bodies back for Saturday’s trip to Spennymoor, as Wilkin’s men look to put this one behind them as soon as possible.