Yates pleased by Harriers spirit

Yates was pleased with his side's sixth straight clean sheet

Kidderminster Harriers manager Mark Yates praised his players for their battling showing in the 1-0 Blue Square Premier win at Wrexham.

Harriers moved into the play-off places with 10 games left with Monday's victory over their promotion rivals.

"It is especially good to take points off the teams around us in the table," Yates told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"By hook or by crook we ground it out but that is what you have to do at this stage of the season."

"It wasn't our best performance and certainly wasn't a classic, but it was tough out there in the wind."

Harriers had been playing into the strong wind in the first half and found themselves under long periods of pressure, but they held firm.

The second half was a more even affair but the game looked to be heading towards a goalless draw when Harriers forced a corner in injury time.

We're in the mix as we've got a bit of everything and we've just kept six clean sheets on the trot

Mark Yates

When the ball was swung in, Chris McPhee reacted quickest to fire home, securing Harriers a priceless three points and a league double over Wrexham.

Yates admitted that his side had ridden their luck at times, but he pointed out they are now at the stage when results are more important than performances.

"We played some great football on Saturday [in the 3-0 home win over Woking] but I never thought it was going to be like that today as much as we wanted it to be," he said.

"Wrexham were up for it and they have got some great young boys who have plenty of energy."

This win took Harriers back into the play-off places for 24 hours at least and Yates says he has been delighted by their recent form, especially in their defensive record.

He added: "I hear people talking and nobody's mentioning us and that's fine.

"Some managers say 'it's between them and them' and we're never mentioned, which astounds me.

"We're in the mix as we've got a bit of everything and we've just kept six clean sheets on the trot."