ADAM Murray admits his side’s poor decision-making proved costly as Kidderminster Harriers slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Darlington.
Harriers conceded at the death again at Aggborough as the club’s five-game unbeaten run came to an end.
The result leaves Kidderminster seventh in the National League North table, two points clear of the chasing pack in the play-off places.
And while Murray felt Kidderminster dominated proceedings for the majority of the game, the Harriers boss insists his side must adopt a ruthless mentality in both boxes.
Murray said: “In between both boxes we were outstanding. We dominated the game and created chance after chance after chance.
“One minute at the end of the first half and one minute at the end of the second half, through a lack of decision making, has cost us.
“For 95 per cent of the game we’ve controlled it but we’ve killed ourselves again. It’s tough to take, we didn’t deserve that.
“We’ve got complacent, we’ve not dealt with one ball down the middle. It’s basic, it’s a basic at any level of football, the ball should be out the ground.
“If we’re going to make decisions like that then you’re going to get punished. We can’t afford to have lapses in concentration.
“The performance overall deserved points. We will continue [to bounce around the table] until we learn that ruthless mentality in both boxes.”
Darlington took the lead in first-half injury time when Aidan Rutledge headed in a cross from the left at the back post unmarked from six-yards out.
Harriers drew level on 53 minutes as Reynolds steered debutant Michael Gyasi’s low cross in from the left into the bottom right corner from 12-yards out.
However, the visitors snatched the points in the final minute when Matty Cornish intercepted Emeka Obi’s attempted clearance and fired a deflected shot into the net.
And with Harriers taking a break from league action this weekend, Murray wants his side to return to winning ways in the FA Trophy.
Murray added: “We’ve got to start putting the ball in the net, between both boxes there was some really good stuff.
“The energy of the boys and attitude of the boys and the confidence of them was top drawer at times and the crowd were top drawer.
“But to get kicked in the teeth at the end like that is hard.
“It’s about winning games. Our little run has come to an end but we need to get back on another one.
“We want a cup run. We need to get back to winning ways. We’re not taking it as a cup game, it’s another game that we want to win.”
Kidderminster are next in action against Corby Town in the FA Trophy on Saturday, November 15 with kick-off at 3pm at Aggborough.
