KIDDERMINSTER Harriers sealed promotion back to the National League following a 2-0 victory at South Shields in the play-off final.
First-half goals from Kieren Donnelly and Charlie Cooper stunned the home side at the 1st Cloud Arena.
And Harriers kept Shields at bay in the second half to clinch promotion from the National League North after two seasons in the sixth tier.
Kidderminster boss Adam Murray achieved promotion in his first season at the helm with preparations already underway for the 2026/27 campaign.
The home side went close early on as Sean McGurk curled a shot narrowly past the post from the edge of the penalty area.
Harriers goalkeeper Christian Dibble then tipped Sonny Finch’s powerful effort from 12-yards out over the crossbar.
However, Kidderminster stunned the hosts on 35 minutes when George Walker floated a cross to the back post from the right and Donnelly squeezed a header past Shields goalkeeper Tom Watson.
And Harriers doubled their lead just two minutes later as David Davis won possession deep in the Shields half and Cooper lashed a low shot towards goal which deflected past Watson.
The visitors almost struck again moments later when Davis robbed Shields off possession again and drilled a shot inches past the post from the right-hand side of the penalty area.
Shields looked to respond before the break as Owen Evans produced a last-ditch slide challenge to turn Daniel Dodds’ low cross behind for a corner.
The home side spurned a golden chance to halve the deficit earlier in the second half as Finch sliced a shot over the bar from 10-yards out with the goal at his mercy.
And Dibble then sprung to his left to keep out a goalbound effort following McGurk’s dangerous free-kick into the box from the right.
Dibble kept Shields at bay again when he denied Jack Roles with his feet before he pushed Finch’s low ball in from the right to safety.
Harriers caught the home side in possession again later in the second half as Donnelly dragged a shot wide from 20-yards out.
Shields went close 10 minutes from time as Dibble made a save low down to his right to deny McGurk.
The visitors had a chance to make sure of promotion in injury time when substitute Reece Hall burst into the box as Watson pushed the defender’s powerful effort to safety.
And Harriers comfortably saw out eight minutes of additional time to seal a return to the National League.
Travelling supporters invaded the pitch at full time to celebrate with the Kidderminster players before Harriers lifted the play-off trophy in front of the away fans.
