CHAIRMAN Rod Brown has issued a rallying cry to Kidderminster Harriers’ fans after a difficult start to the Vanarama National League campaign.

The Aggborough outfit are bottom of the table after seven games with just three points and are waiting for their first win of the 2015-16 campaign.

The Reds bounced back from Saturday’s 2-0 home loss to table-topping Forest Green with a spirited 2-2 draw at newly-relegated Tranmere Rovers on Bank Holiday Monday.

The fightback marked the end of a testing set of opening fixtures where the Reds have taken on the likes of Wrexham, Forest Green, Grimsby, Tranmere and Gateshead.

Harriers have not won in 12 league games but will be hoping to end that streak at home to tenth-placed Braintree on Saturday (3pm ko), who were also the last team Harriers defeated on March 28.

“I have to thank the fans for their patience and support on and off the pitch,” said the chairman.

“We have done an awful lot in a short space of time to make sure the club has a proper structure behind the scenes and really improved the experience for the fans.

“I said before the start of the season that I would be happy if we finished fifth from bottom and nothing’s changed.

“The fixtures have been incredibly tough – we’ve played five teams who have really spent a lot of money and are looking for promotion.

“We’ve got a lot of young players who are still learning the game and it’s up to the manager and his coaches to find the right team. Perhaps we could have a few more points but we’re all working hard.

“I still strongly believe Gary is the right man for the job, he’s a great man manager and has a good eye for players.

“I am sure once we get our first win the confidence boost will help the team to push on.

“We’ve got to take the positives and not dwell on the negatives and stick together.”

Kidderminster will be hoping centre back Kelvin Langmead returns to action after missing the last six games with a heel problem.

Striker Craig Reid has also left the club by mutual consent. The former Newport and Stevenage man joined on a two-year deal in the summer of 2014 but managed just five goals in 38 appearances.

The departure of Reid, who was one of the club's most highly paid players, takes the pressure off the wage bill but Brown has said that the deal to release him means funds won't be available until Christmas.

Brown said any money saved from the deal to pay off the striker would become available after Christmas.

l Follow all the action from Harriers’ vital home clash with The Shuttle’s live updates.