STEVE Burr hailed Kidderminster Harriers’ brilliant win at title-chasing AFC Wimbledon as their best away display of the season.
The 2-1 victory at Kingsmeadow, courtesy of goals from Sean Canham and Jamille Matt, tightened fifth-placed Harriers’ grip on a play-off place in the Blue Square Bet Premier and extended their unbeaten run to 11 games.
Defeat for sixth-placed Fleetwood means Burr’s men have a five-point gap over the Cod Army but seventh-placed York City remain in contention, seven points behind Kidderminster with three games in hand.
Manager Burr reflected: “That was probably our best away performance of the season so far, no question.
“We were always a threat going forward. I have told the boys we can’t afford to carry anybody.
“We need seven-or-eight-out-of-ten performances in every game. Anything less and that won’t get to where we want to be.
“There’s a little gap that’s opened up now but we can’t be too bothered with what other teams are doing.”
Dons boss Terry Brown was the first to admit Harriers deserved their win as the hosts were outclassed and outfought.
Canham slotted in the first goal three minutes before half-time after Nick Wright’s endeavour created the chance and substitute Matt added the second on 74 minutes, pouncing on a mistake and producing a measured finish.
Lee Minshull replied for the Dons eight minutes from time to set up a dramatic finale but Harriers stood firm.
Tamworth boss Des Lyttle has told his players to ‘‘stand up and be counted’’ after watching the Lambs lose to relegation battlers Hayes & Yeading.
Despite two goals from top scorer Kyle Perry, the below-par Lambs fell to a 3-2 home defeat.
“The manner in which we are playing isn’t good enough,” said Lyttle.
“I take all the stick, it’s on my head and rightly so because I pick the team. But the players have got to stand up and be counted because I am doing all I can.
“I work all the hours God sends and I just want the players to come in and respond and work hard. At the moment, I have to question how much they want it.”
Former Lambs favourite Bradley Pritchard gave Hayes the lead on 14 minutes before Perry levelled in the 34th after his penalty had initially been saved.
But another spot-kick from Lee Brown, following a harsh handball decision against Lambs skipper Jay Smith, and Elliott Buchanan’s neat finish put Hayes 3-1 ahead. Perry netted for the Lambs in injury time but it was too little, too late.
