York City's promotion challenge faltered after Kidderminster Harriers ended their twelve-match unbeaten league run at Bootham Crescent.

The Minstermen were without injured leading scorer Jason Walker and paid for some absolutely woeful defending during the opening half.
 
Kidderminster midfielder Jack Byrne headed in low from an inswinging free-kick delivered by Mickey Demetriou to open the scoring on five minutes before Matty Blair equalised against his former club following an Ashley Chambers cross.

But York's defence was again found wanting moments later as Jon Challinor failed to clear inside the area and Callum Gittings calmly slotted across goal.

Worse was to follow from the lacklustre hosts when Jamal Fyfield  gave away possession and the impressive Jamille Matt finished emphaticially inside the near post.

Manager Gary Mills made a double substitution after the break and his side should have been back in it when Luke Jones was dubiously penalised for handball inside his own area. But Chambers' penalty was well-saved to his right by Tony Breeden.

However, David McGurk [right] soon rose to head in a Patrick McLaughlin corner and set up a grandstand finish in which York had plenty of possession but never really came close to an equaliser as their determined opponents resisted manfully.