COLIN Gordon has called for everyone at the club to work ‘smarter and harder’ after a week to forget for Kidderminster Harriers, writes Peter McKinney.

The Aggborough outfit crashed out of the FA Trophy when they suffered another humbling defeat to Evo-Stik Northern Premier minnows Stourbridge.

To make matters worse, head coach Dave Hockaday incurred the wrath of the fans after being quoted in the national press saying he would ‘crawl over broken glass’ to return to former club Leeds United.

The story in The Sun saw him say he would be happy to have a coaching role at the Yorkshire giants.

“I am aware of the piece and it’s something we could have done without but we have to get on with it.” said Gordon.

“He may like to return to Leeds someday but unless he does well here he won’t be getting a job elsewhere.

“Dave was the board’s choice and he gave a very good interview and comes with a good pedigree.

“He’s still got a job to do here and is contracted until the end of the season.”

Saturday’s loss to the Glassboys came just six weeks after a 3-0 FA Cup humbling at the same club, although Kidderminster have improved in recent weeks.

Hockaday was furious after the game and accused some of his players of not caring as much as him.

Gordon, however, felt a lack of finishing and brittle confidence were to blame for the defeat.

He said: “We were 1-0 up and in complete control and we should have put the game to bed.

“We had three of four very good chances which we didn’t take. If we had scored a second we could have won by three or four.

“But once Stourbridge scored, you could see the confidence drain away.

“Stourbridge are a team full of confidence and they know how to win matches.

“I don’t think it’s a case of the players not caring, they are working very hard and are low on confidence.

“We all need to think smarter and work harder to try and win games but there’s no miracle cure.

“We were better than the FA Cup defeat to Stourbridge, we’re fitter and competitive in games.

“We played well at Grimsby and didn’t deserve to lose but we’re not getting the rub of the green.”

Harriers also handed James McQuilkin a deal until the end of the season after impressing on a non-contract basis, while Harriers confirmed left-back Rob Taylor is no longer at the club.

On-loan winger Adam Dawson has returned from his loan spell at Tranmere Rovers with an ankle problem and was set for a scan.

Kidderminster, who are bottom of the Vanarama National League, go to in-form Eastleigh looking to spark their survival campaign on Saturday (3pm ko).

After 23 matches, they are ten points away from safety and face a very tough run of games over Christmas.

Gordon confirmed Harriers have a number of players training who are eligible to be signed in January but stressed the club’s financial situation and lowly league position would mean the club are unable to attract more experienced players.

He added: “We have four lads training with us we are very excited about.

“We won’t know if they will be up to speed in the league straight away or if they need to be eased in.

“But we were where we are, we are still paying for a number of players who are out on loan because of the way the club was run previously.

“We don’t have the money to attract experienced players and what experienced players would join us in the position we are in?"

“We’re not Liverpool; we don’t have £50 million to spend on a player, we have to be realistic.”