PHIL Brown was left in dismay after an early red card proved costly as Kidderminster Harriers lost 3-1 away at struggling Marine.
Harriers took an early lead courtesy of Ashley Hemmings’ goal only for Jack Hazlehurst’s stunner to draw the visitors level at Rossett Park.
And Kidderminster than had Ryley Reynolds sent off just past the half-hour mark for dangerous play in a contentious decision.
Marine made the most of the extra man as Chris Doyle scored a quickfire brace moments after the red card to leave Harriers stunned.
The result means Kidderminster sit seventh in the National League North table, eight points behind leaders Chester with two games in-hand.
And Brown admits his side need to go back to basics having won just one of their last seven matches in all competitions.
Brown said: “I’m in dismay, the first 20 minutes I thought ‘that’s my team’ and then the next 20 minutes it was unrecognisable, it was the basics.
“It’s about revisiting the basics, they’re going to win us games between now and the end of the season but they’re also going to cost us.
“We’ve lost the game on basics, it’s as simple as it gets, a young lad loses his head and gets a red card, Ryley looks like he’s staring at a red card in every game.
“He runs that risk but he’s a good player and he has to learn because he’s cost us. What is dangerous play any more? It was an absolute joke of a decision.
“If somebody puts their head below knee height and it gets kicked, that’s his problem, you can’t blame Ryley for trying to kick the ball at the same time.
“I’m not going to quit on this season, we’ve done too much and gone too far, we’ve come a long way as a group.
“There’s a lot to like about the way we play but I’m going to have to revisit some basic stuff that we’re going to have to deal with.”
Harriers made the perfect start when Hemmings produced a stunning acrobatic finish from 12-yards out after just six minutes.
However, Marine drew level in style on 22 minutes as Hazlehurst fired a stunning shot past Christian Dibble via the aid of the top of the left-hand post from 25-yards out.
And Kidderminster then lost Reynolds to a straight red card on 32 minutes when he challenged for a low ball with his foot while Marine’s Joe Mattock went in with his head.
Marine completed the turnaround three minutes later when Doyle headed in Leigh Whelan’s cross from the left at the back post following a short corner.
And Doyle struck again two minutes later with another back post header after Dibble came for a ball which he failed to claim.
Kidderminster are next in action against Spennymoor Town on Saturday, February 22 with kick-off at 3pm at Aggborough.
