KIDDERMINSTER Harriers were tipped to win National North in pre-season and they remain short odds to gain promotion – but they were held to a 0-0 draw by a strong Guiseley side at Nethermoor on Saturday.

The Lions were still reeling from last season’s relegation when this campaign opened and the new management team of Marcus Bignot and Russ O’Neill had not properly settled in as they lost their first two league games.

They have lost just once in 11 games since – a 4-2 defeat at York City – and their performance against the Harriers was typical of the new Lions. They matched their skill and creativity with grit and determination.

O’Neill said: “It’s a good point. Before the game, you’re playing at home and you want to be looking for a win.

“But they (Kidderminster) are a full-time team and they play like a Football League club. If it had gone on for another five minutes I honestly think that we would have edged it, but overall we’re happy with a point.

"It’s a clean sheet and that’s a massive plus for, not just for the keeper, but for the defence and the team.

“We’ve got a game coming up on Tuesday evening and if we back this up with a win then it’s a very good point. So it’s on to Blyth Spartans now.”

Guiseley looked solid at the back against an experienced attack that included the mercurial Ed Williams – the young, free-scoring winger who is on the radar of Leeds United and Aston Villa.

The Lions’ back four was not a settled one as skipper Andy Halls was suspended, so there was a debut for Jo Cummings, on loan from Charlton Athletic. He slotted in at centre-back and midfielder Alex Purver was handed the captain’s armband.

Williams was kept quiet, although he did get two first-half shots away, both curling just wide of Joe Green’s net.

The visitors had a penalty appeal for alleged handball, while Guiseley’s Niall Heaton tested Harriers’ keeper Brandon Hall late on.

Kidderminster manager Neil MacFarlane was also willing to accept a draw, saying: “It’s pleasing, I thought it was a really good performance. I couldn’t be happier about the way we went about our business.”