Harriers edged a dramatic Good Friday derby at Aggborough as David Davis struck deep into stoppage time to earn a 2-1 win over Hereford.

In a game that was short on sustained quality between two sides looking to respond to difficult recent results, Harriers made the brighter start and were rewarded in the first half through Ryley Reynolds.

Hereford hit back before the break, but with clear chances at a premium in the second period, it was Davis who settled matters in memorable fashion with the game in its final moments.

Harriers were quickly into their work and came close inside seven minutes when Reece Devine fed Seb Thompson, who cut inside and unleashed a fine effort that crashed off the underside of the bar and away.

Devine and Thompson linked up again two minutes later, Thompson finding the same pocket of space before seeing his shot blocked by Matt Preston. Kieren Donnelly then did superbly on 13 minutes to bring down a dropping ball and nudge it beyond his man, only for a covering defender to step in at the crucial moment as he prepared to shoot.

The early pressure told on 22 minutes. Josh Robinson was released and kept his composure brilliantly, squaring for Reynolds to stride on to the ball and guide a calm finish beyond Theo Richardson for 1-0.

Hereford’s response was limited for long spells, though they did threaten on 41 minutes when Harry Tustin’s deep cross caught the wind and forced Rhys Lovett to backtrack smartly and tip the ball onto the bar.

Two minutes later, the visitors were level. A free-kick on the edge of the area was worked to Lawson D’Ath, who struck superbly off the bar and in.

After the interval, chances were harder to come by. Charlie Cooper tried his luck on 56 minutes when a corner was worked to him, but his curling effort drifted a little wide.

Donnelly then found room on 63 minutes as another corner was worked into his path, but from a tight angle his effort flashed wide of the far post.

With the game drifting and neither goalkeeper truly tested in the second half, Harriers looked to freshen things up on 83 minutes as Brayden Johnson and Amari Morgan-Smith replaced Devine and Thompson - Layton Love then on for his debut soon after.

It seemed the contest might be heading for a draw, but Harriers found the decisive moment in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Robinson did well to hold onto possession and lay the ball into the path of Davis, whose strike from distance took a deflection and flew into the top corner to seal a dramatic derby victory.