HARRIERS 1 BRISTOL ROVERS 1

PAUL Tait's headed equaliser ensured Kidderminster Harriers ended a good season with the equivalent of relegation form.

Harriers looked near certainties for the play-offs after an impressive 2-0 victory at Cambridge United in mid-March.

But in 11 fixtures since then Ian Britton's men won just one as their season did unfortunately come to an end with a whimper.

However, Britton's goal was to avoid the dreaded drop and he did that in style with probably their most exciting Division Three campaign yet.

Though Harriers did not play badly in their last game with Bristol Rovers, it turned into a scrappy affair as neither team had anything to play for.

However, both sides had chances with keepers Stuart Brock and Scott Howie doing impressive shot-stopping jobs.

John Melligan, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, signed off his time at Aggborough with the 15th-minute opener, the midfielder's 12th goal of the season.

But lanky forward Tait was not picked up at a Chris Llewellyn corner and he put Rovers level on 71 minutes.

The goal delighted the large visiting contingent with some among home supporters in the North Stand and the Main Stand to cheer their team.

It was perhaps just as well then that this was not a vital relegation clash for Rovers who had already secured their future with three wins on the trot.

And they created an early chance on Saturday when Tait nodded wide from Sonny Parker's cross on six minutes.

Brock was to let an otherwise assured display down with his kicking and one scuffed clearance flew straight to Lee Hodges who wildly missed an open target from 25 yards.

But Harriers leapt ahead soon after when Andy Bishop got in behind the hesitant Ijah Anderson and centred for Melligan to tap in, adding to his excellent goals tally.

Watched by Harriers' biggest crowd of the season of 3,872, Sam Shilton nearly added a second but glanced Craig Hinton's inviting cross just wide on 26 minutes.

Rovers, who surprisingly played with just one main striker, may have equalised but for Brock's save from a towering Parker header six minutes before half-time.

Harriers were comfortable with their lead in the early stages of the second half and could have added more goals.

Dion Scott, who hardly put a foot wrong in defence, flicked a Sean Flynn free-kick inches wide before Howie blocked a close-range volley from Melligan who was making a welcome return from illness.

Only bad luck denied player-of-the-season Danny Williams on 69 minutes as his thumping 20-yarder crashed off the underside of the crossbar.

But Rovers eventually levelled and the goal was harsh on Brock who had tipped over Llewellyn's header in an outstanding save.

From the resulting corner, Tait was on hand to plant a firm header over the Harriers keeper.

Britton introduced Drewe Broughton and Ian Foster who was making an emotional farewell after four years at Aggborough.

Foster, top scorer in Harriers' Conference success, will be released in the summer but has been an excellent servant to the club.

However, the last 15 minutes were only notable for a couple of flare-ups between frustrated players, resulting in yellow cards for Scott Stamps and Llewellyn, then Williams and Rob Quinn.

Britton has a busy and important summer ahead if he is to improve on this campaign but Harriers can at least look forward to another season of Division Three football.

HARRIERS: Brock 7; Hinton 6, Scott 7, Stamps 6; Bennett 7, MELLIGAN 8, Williams 7, Flynn 6, Shilton 6; Bishop 6 (Broughton 77), Henriksen 6 (Foster 77). Subs not used: Danby, Parrish, Ayres.

ROVERS: Howie; Parker, Barrett, Austin, Anderson; Carlisle (Street 59), Bryant, Quinn, Hodges, Llewellyn; Tait. Subs not used: Grazioli, Boxall, Gilroy, Hogg.

SHOTS ON: Harriers 4, Rovers 4.

SHOTS OFF: Harriers 9, Rovers 5.

CORNERS: Harriers 6, Rovers 2.

GOALS: Melligan 15, Tait 71.

YELLOW CARDS: Harriers 2 (Stamps, Williams), Rovers 2 (Llewellyn, Quinn).

SHUTTLE STAR MAN: John Melligan. Reminded Harriers fans why he is likely to be sorely missed next season. His 12-goal tally from midfield says a lot about his ability to run at defences, make good runs into the box and finish lethally.