Harper took over from Mark Cooper as Kettering boss

Kettering player-manager Lee Harper has defended the decision to rest players against Salisbury.

The Poppies lost Saturday's game 2-1 as Harper left out several first-teamers ahead of Tuesday's FA Cup second round replay against Leeds United.

A shock victory at Elland Road would set up a dream money-spinning tie with Manchester United.

Harper said: "With the chance to achieve such a lot of money we've got to get there [to Leeds] fit and ready."

He added: "If we'd been drawn against Leeds and then faced someone like York City we may not have rested them."

"We don't want to take any chances - even though we know it's going to be extremely difficult for us."

Kettering's defeat against the Whites saw them slip to fifth place in the Blue Square Premier table.

Harper admitted: "I'm disappointed for the fans that we lost the game.

"Our home form has slipped a little bit and we need to sort that out quickly."

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