The Harriers went back to their Conference days tonight when they came up against Doncaster Rovers in the first round of the LDV Trophy.

The last time we played at Belle Vue was in the year we finally won promotion and then we ran out 2-1 winners.

Both our goals came in the last few minutes then but this time at least the winner came a bit earlier.

The game started at a cracking pace for both teams as they both tried to gain the upper hand.
The Harriers were the first to test the keepers with a header from Drewe Broughton that just went over the bar.

Sam Shilton was next when his free kick from 20yds out forced a save from Doncasters keeper, Richardson.

Richardson was back in action a few minutes later when he stopped a drive from Danny Williams.

It wasn't all one way traffic though, Doncaster appealed in vain for a penalty after Owen appeared to be pushed as he went up for a cross from Whitman.

And then Owen sent a good chance begging when he put a cross from Watson over the bar.

HT. 0-0

Two minutes after the restart Rovers missed their best chance to go into the lead when a free kick from Owen rebounded off the bar with Nixon beaten.

Sam Shilton had another chance ten minutes later when his fierce drive was again kept out by the Northerners keeper who also denied Ian Foster a piece of comeback glory a few minutes after.

Then it was Dean Bennetts turn to be kept out by the on form Richardson.

In the 60th minute Jan played his ace card when he took off Shilton and Bird to bring on Blake and Larkin.

Minutes later it was all over.

Broughton pushed the ball through to Larkin, he beat the Doncaster offside trap and then lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper.
Larkin then collided with Richardson and after some lengthy treatment was substituted by Stewart Hadley.

Jan had by now got embroiled in a slanging match with the officials and was yet again sent to sit in the stand by referee, Mark Clattenburg.

Doncaster then sent on some subs in an effort to gain the equaliser but by the time Danny Williams cleared off the line in injury time from Jamie Squires it was too late.

So in the end it wasn't the banana skin I thought it would be.

Even though it's a tuppenny halfpenny cup a win like that can only increase the lads confidence.

Roll on the next round.

FT. 0-1