Carlisle bowed out of the LDV Vans Trophy at a waterlogged Aggborough Stadium last night - by virtue of a golden goal winner from Kidderminster's Tony Bird.
Manager Ian Atkins used the match to blood some of the talented youngsters coming through the youth ranks, making nine changes from the team that beat the Harriers in last Saturday's FA Cup tie.
Full debuts were given to Craig McAughtrie, Adam Thwaites, Paul Antony, John Hore and Jonny Allan.
Ian Atkins was pleased with performance of his youngsters. He said: " I thought the youngsters were magnificent in atrocious conditions. I couldn't have asked any more of them. We struggled to get to grips with their midfield in the first half but got stronger as the match wore on. The kids were playing an experienced side and showed great ability but are just lacking the experience to win matches."
Kidderminster dominated the early exchanges but both sides found the pitch unplayable in places with plenty of surface water evident.
Ian Foster and Mark Shail went close for Harriers before Adie Smith gave the home side the lead on the stroke of half-time. The ball deflected off Mark Thurston, straight to Smith, who side-footed into the corner of the net from 12 yards.
Carlisle came into the game as the second half wore on, particularly when Jonny Allan was introduced for Carl Heggs on 55 minutes.
He almost got the Cumbrians back on terms wen Steve Halliday played him through but Harriers keeper Tim Clarke palmed his shot away for a corner. The introduction of Steve Soley for Paul Antony proved an inspired substitution, as the midfielder levelled the scores on 85 minutes with a powerful volley into the top corner, from Allan's lay back.
In golden-goal extra time, the Cumbrians dominated the early minutes with Andy Dawson going close and McAughtrie shooting over from four yards. With 98 minutes gone, a John Hore shot was turned away by Clarke for a corner.
A minute later, with Carlisle pushing forward for the winner, the home side caught them with a long ball down the middle which Julian Darby failed to deal with - allowing Bird to race through and slot his shot passed Mat Glennon for the winner.
As far as Ian Atkins was concerned, after the game, he only acknowledged that his team had drawn 1-1 dismissing the golden goal as a lottery win for Harriers.
Mike Corry
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