HEREFORD manager Russell Slade praised the fight in his side which saw them take a vital 2-1 victory over local rivals Kidderminster Harriers.

The Bulls were missing three centre-halves due to illness and injury along with first team goalkeeper Brandon Hall.

Despite that the hosts stood firm a second half Victor Sodiende penalty was followed by an own Cliff Moyo goal from a Stephen Dawson cross.

Harriers did pull a late goal back from an Ashley Hemmings free-kick but the Bulls hung on for a first league win since October 1.

Slade thanked the Edgar Street faithful who stuck with his side throughout the derby match.

“I thought the supporters were absolutely magnificent today,” said Slade.

“From the start it would have been easy to get onto us as we haven’t won in a while. But they stayed with us and got right behind us and the team responded by having a go.

“They knew we were up against it and had a very inexperienced trainee goalkeeper in there who generally warms Brandon (Hall) up if he has got time and is not playing for his local club that is about three or four levels below this.

“That’s the reality of the situation and then to have three centre-halves unavailable and to make shift that as that’s the way I wanted to play and despite not having them available I still played the way I wanted to play to get a result for this football club.

“It’s important that I continue to fight, the players continue to fight and they were a reflection of what we were trying to do today.

“We are trying to work hard together and they played with great attitude, commitment for the cause and the crowd responded, they couldn’t have been any better.

The Bulls provided much more of a match throughout the match than they had during a 3-1 defeat at Aggborough seven days earlier.

“I changed what we were about today for a couple of reasons really, I wanted to go up against Kidderminster a little bit more so we matched them with a three at the back, three in midfield and two and one up front,” added Slade.

“I think it worked to an extent because we had more of the ball to what we had at their place, certainly in the first half.

“We looked nice and solid I felt today and we needed to protect our young trainee goalkeeper. We were without three centre-halves available so Ben Pollock has gone in there and done a good job and (Jason) Pope’s second opportunity at the back with Jordan (Cullinane-Liburd).

“By and large they have defended and protect the goal, which was important today, really well and we reduced Kidderminster to just a couple of chances.

“They got themselves a goal in injury time which was a little bit disappointing but more importantly we did enough to score two goals at home today and win a very important game.

“The important thing is because they are a possession based side that we were up against today is to keep a nice and solid shape and then when we do win the ball to able to break with real threat, which is exactly what we did with the second goal."