Harriers crashed to their first defeat of the season today when they went down 3-1 at Rushden & Diamonds. They also saw Drewe Broughton getting sent off for arguing with the ref after being already carded earlier.
The game also marked the return of skipper Sean Flynn back from an injury received when he fell over a child's toy on the stairs at his home. He would soon be regretting his comeback though when his mis-placed defensive header went in from a Rushden corner for their first goal.
From the start Rushden set their stall out with Duane Darby getting booked early doors for a flare up with Abdou Sall. Abdou was to be taken off injured towards the end of the half after getting kicked in the head by Onandi Lowe. All through the game the big Rushden striker was making his presence felt.
The first attempt on goal came from a free kick on the edge of the area. Talbot laid the ball across the face of the penalty area and Gray struck a shot that came back off Stuart Brocks left hand post.
Brockie got to the next effort from a Paul Hall corner that swung in alarmingly. He just managed to tip it over the bar for another corner.
From this corner Rushden took the lead. Flynn, who wasn't under any real pressure, headed the ball into his own net at the far post.
The Reds should have pulled one back two minutes later but Dean Bennett shot agonisingly wide after being set up by Bo Henriksen.
On the half hour we went close again when Sean Parrish's cross from the right was headed back into the area by Broughton. Flynn managed to get a foot to it only for keeper Turley to hold it comfortably above his head.
Lowe was back in action soon after but his shot was scuffed well wide but in the process he elbowed
Craig Hinton in the face to leave him with blood streaming down.
Harriers were soon back on the attack when Parrish was denied at the death by a fine tackle from Underwood just as he was about to pull the trigger.
The start of Drewe's downfall came after 42 minutes when he received his first booking for a crude challenge on Dempster that sent him crashing through the advertising boards.
Just before half time Craig Hinton came to the Harriers rescue when he managed to clear the ball with Wardley and Darby ready to pounce at the far post.