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| Man of the match Harley Hamilton |
The full-time Worcestershire outfit were able to dominate possession and keep Hereford at bay, with the hosts forcing visiting keeper Christian Dibble into just two saves.
As Paul Caddis made two changes from the side that were beaten 4-2 by Chorley on Saturday, Jaiden White and Sam Osborne were replaced in the starting XI by Matt Preston and Callum McFarlane.
In what appeared a defensive 5-2-1-2 formation, there were nearly 4,000 Hereford fans in a packed, cold and sun-drenched Edgar Street all hoping their side could avoid conceding early.
But their hopes were dashed as Kidderminster threatened from the first whistle and put the Bulls under pressure. With Adam Murray's side the quickest out the blocks, a ninth-minute free kick conceded after captain Lewis Hudson lost his man saw Amari Morgan-Smith acrobatically fire over from Owen Evans's delivery under little pressure from his marker Preston.
With Hereford's defence off to a predictably shaky start, the deadlock was soon broken. After a second free kick, this time on the left, Joe Foulkes's ball was brought down in the Hereford box for Emeka Obi to tuck home as a hapless Theo Richardson could only watch on.
And Red Mist Finds Its Way Onto The Pitch 
Kidderminster Players Celebrate In Front Of The Meadow End
With the home crowd deflated, Hereford were saved by the linesman as a threatening ball into the box looked destined to be put past Richardson by the offside Amari Morgan-Smith.
A Hudson shot then flew wide of the target in the 23rd minute as the Bulls looked like they might be coming to life after a trademark slow start. Five minutes later it was Harley Hamilton chasing down a long ball, driving into the area but seeing his shot deflected wide.
In front of the cleared Blackfriars End, Lawson D’Ath’s corner was met by Hudson at the far-post, but his effort was blocked on the line - arguably by a Harriers hand, but referee Sam Read wasn't convinced.
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| Handball? |
Harriers, who appeared to still be in first gear, continued to thwart Hereford's advances, including a Hamilton effort that was deflected wide and a low cross being intercepted by Evans. In front of the Meadow End, Reece Devine almost doubled the Harriers' lead six minutes before the break after beating right-back Aaron Skinner, but his low effort was a comfortable save for Richardson.
As the first half drew to a close, Kyle Howkins forced a save out of Dibble as he found the target with a header from a D'Ath corner, before a quick D'Ath free kick caught the Harriers off-guard but Hamilton couldn't get the better of Evans.
But Kidderminster still had chances, including a half-cleared corner for former Bulls loanee Charlie Cooper to volley over.
Half time: Hereford 0 - Kidderminster Harriers 1
With the Bulls light in midfield and on the wings, they struggled to create meaningful changes - a theme that continued into the second half.
They had to deal with more threats from the hosts, who despite going a goal ahead early, didn't kick on enough to increase their tally. Richardson had to punch a curling Evans free-kick from his left away early in the second half, while Harriers' defence frustrated Hereford by snuffing out balls towards the experienced Andy Williams, who spent all afternoon tirelessly chasing balls and putting the visitors under pressure.
Minutes after Sam Osborne came on to replace the lightweight and largely ineffective McFarlane, he appeared to pick up a knock as he challenged for the ball, leaving him hobbling. The creativity from the Alfreton man was therefore lacking, just as Skinner was alert to the danger from Devine as he raced in to rescue the defence and deny him a tap in at the back post.
As the derby became scrappy, with free kicks and bookings becoming more common, chances dried up for both sides. Into the 84th minute and another Evans free kick whipped into the box fell just wide of the post.
Despite a late flurry of corners, backed by a vocal Meadow End, the closest Hereford came to a point was Williams volleying over the bar. It was pleasing to see Remaye Campbell back on the pitch as he returned from injury, but he couldn't give Hereford fans the Christmas present they wanted - three points at home for the first time since Worksop on 20th September.
Full time: Hereford 0 - Kidderminster Harriers 1
Attendance: 4,670 (704 away)
Sponsors' man of the match: Harley Hamilton
While Hereford huffed and puffed and tried to create chances, they didn't do enough against a Kidderminster Harriers side who weren't at the races themselves. They got the early goal, kept calm and set the pace of the game. When Hereford were able to up the tempo, they were also guilty of slowing it down by taking their time with throw-ins and free kicks, allowing a flustered Harriers to get calm and organised once again.
Overall, Kidderminster were smarter and more organised, and ground out the result, which is probably why they sit fourth in the table and Hereford are third from bottom.
While D'Ath and Mafuta both work hard in midfield, the Bulls are constantly overrun in the middle of the park and leave the defence too much to do. Even with five playing across the back, Hereford look shaky and that's before they come up against the best strike-force in the league at Merthyr on Tuesday.
On a brighter note, Hereford only conceded one goal and looked to play slightly better as a team than they did against Radcliffe two weeks ago. They tried to create chances, but the team as a whole just aren't playing to the standard needed. It's not even about performances now, the Bulls just need points.
Fresh faces can only be a blessing.
Hereford: Richardson, Quansah, Howkins (White 86'), Preston, Skinner, Hudson, D'Ath (Campbell 73'), Mafuta, Hamilton, Williams, McFarlane (Osborne 60')
Subs not used: Lewis, Richards, Nto, Edwards
Kidderminster Harriers: Dibble, Devine, Obi, Morgan-Smith, Foulkes, Evans, Kalambayi, Davis, Cooper, Reynolds (Spokes 66'), Hemmings (Walker 52')
Subs not used: Palmer, Kandola, Tunnicliffe, Willoughby, Minaker