Vanarama Conference

Kidderminster Harriers 2

Forest Green 4

A BRACE from Jon Parkin saw Forest Green kick-start the new year in emphatic fashion.

Previously Kidderminster had made Rovers feel like leftover Boxing Day turkeys with a 3-2 victory at the New Lawn, but this time there was no hangover as they exacted revenge to give their faltering play-off hopes a huge tonic.

Back-to-back defeats had cast a shadow to the end of 2014, but this victory will put a spring in the step of boss Ady Pennock, who is set to dive into the transfer window with reinforcements this week.

Parkin made it 13 goals for the season and strikes from returning duo Kurtis Guthrie and Clovis Kamdjo. They survived a late wobble as Kidderminster found some respectability through Craig Reid's penalty and a Marvin Johnson goal.

The Christmas bug that is sweeping the country accounted for Rovers captain David Pipe and midfield general Sam Wedgbury, while Danny Coles missed out after injuring his calf against the Harriers on Boxing Day.

Injury- plagued Aarran Racine made his first start since last April in place of Coles and Kamdjo was back from suspension. Left-back Marcus Kelly was handed the skipper's armband in place of Pipe, who was replaced by Dale Bennett.

On a cabbage patch type pitch it was Rovers who nosed ahead on 22 minutes. Bennett's cross on the run picked out Parkin who directed his header into the bottom corner of Lewis' net.

Kamdjo made it 20 just 15 minutes later as he volleyed home from a neat Guthrie header.

Rovers were bossing it and made it 3-0 before the break.James Norwood saw a curling 20-yard shot spilled by Lewis and the rebound was smashed home by Guthrie.

Kidderminster need a bright start to the second half, but Reece Styche fluffed a great chance to score against his former club when he slashed wide from 10 yards with only Sam Russell in his way.

Rovers looked to put the game to bed when wretched Kiddy defending saw Parkin take an Elliott Frear pass and slot home to make it 4-0.

They survived a late rally when Bennett upended the impressive Reid inside the area and the former Newport winger smashed home the resulting spot-kick with 20 minutes to go.

Three minutes later it was 4-2, Marvin Johnson picked his spot to beat Russell.

Kidderminster Harriers: D. Lewis; J. Hodgkiss, J. Tunnicliffe, J. Grimes, K. Nicholson; C. Reid, K. Storer, J. Byrne (J. Spencer 59), M. Johnson; A. Verma; R. Styche (J. Green 79); Subs not used: A. Obeng, C. Gittings, A. Asante.

Forest Green: S. Russell; D. Bennett, L. Oliver, A. Racine, M. Kelly; J. Norwood, R. Sinclair, C. Kamdjo, E. Frear; J. Parkin (C. Stokes 85), K. Guthrie.

Subs not used: L. McGrory, L. Hughes, P. White.

Referee: D. Rock (Hertford)

Attendance: 2,182

Star man: Jon Parkin