Kidderminster 2 Shrewsbury 2

Last updated : 18 March 2003 By Footymad Previewer

The second Worcestershire-Shropshire derby of the season ended all square after a typical game of two halves, the visitors taking an early two-goal lead only to be pegged back after the break.

After a cagy opening Shrewsbury took the lead on seven minutes, Ian Woan's free-kick on the left was met with a glancing header by Peter Wilding that guided the ball beyond the reach of Fraser Digby and into the far corner.

Harriers had a good chance to hit back within two minutes, Adie Smith got to the byline on the right and crossed to the far post where JJ Melligan headed over with the goal at his mercy and Andy Bishop better positioned behind him to take the shot.

Woan was the instigator of the second goal after 14 minutes, his pass sprayed out to the left wing from the centre circle found Luke Rodgers who cut inside Wes Morgan and tucked a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Five minutes later Kidderminster wasted another chance, god work by Danny Williams set Melligan free on the right but his low cross to the near post was steered just wide by Bishop.

After the break Kidderminster came out the stronger team and thought that they had been handed a lifeline on 57 minutes when referee Olivier pointed to the penalty spot after seeing a hand strike the ball.

The Shrewsbury players surrounded him protesting and persuaded him to consult his linesman, who pointed out that it was Morgan's hand and not that of Wilding and a free-kick was awarded to the visitors instead.

Fired up, the home team attacked in waves and their persistence paid off after 61 minutes when Bishop turned two defenders inside out and crossed for Drewe Broughton to turn the ball in from close range.

Five minutes later the scores were level, Melligan set up Bishop who's cross-shot from the right was again turned in by Broughton.

As the game wore on Harriers created chance after chance and looked certain to snatch the points.

In the last ten minutes Broughton headed wide from a Melligan corner; Bishop saw a 20-yard shot fly over the bar; Williams had a shot tipped over the bar by Mark Cartwright and with the last action of the game Broughton headed Sean Flynn's cross weakly at Cartwright and the game ended all square.