Kidderminster Harriers have been deducted five points for a breach of league financial regulations.

The already hard-up Blue Square Bet Premier club have also been handed a £5,000 fine, suspended for two years.

The club accepted charges relating to not handing their accounts in on time when they appeared before a Football Conference board hearing on Thursday.

The periods affected (Oct-Dec 2009, Jan-Mar 2010 and Apr-Jun 2010) are before the current board took over.

Having accepted charges of 'misconduct in accordance with rule 18, with regards to returns as part of the financial reporting initiative', the five-point deduction will drop promotion-chasing Harriers down to 10th in the league table - seven points off the play-offs.

And, although they have the right to appeal, new Harriers chairman Mark Serrell says the club will take a period of time to consider their position.

A club statement said: "Mr Serrell and the club's board of directors are, naturally, extremely distressed by events which have led to the above charge, especially as they have now impacted on on-the-pitch matters."

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