Kidderminster Harriers boss Phil Brown expects play-off semi-final to be decided by 'fine margins'

However, he is now over their loss to Southport last Saturday that saw them fall from their perch at the top of the National League North on the final day of the regular season, and looking forward to a play-off semi-final against Chester.

Harriers have drawn twice with Chester this season who finished just once place below them in fourth. With the home advantage tomorrow, boss Brown is hoping his side can produce a performance like those during their incredible unbeaten run prior to the gutting defeat in Merseyside. 

"I really am looking forward to it," he said. "After the Southport game and in the manner that it fell apart, I took probably two or three days to get over it which isn’t normal for me.

"But, after that, it is the players who have pulled me through it. They have been outstanding on the training ground every day.

"They have a smile on their faces and are looking forward to it. I have immense gratitude to the players. I am now through it, I have my head back and I am looking forward to the game now.

"It was disappointing because we did a remarkable job getting it into our own hands. Then on the day there was a lot of pressure flying around that upset the rhythm and we didn’t perform to the standards that we know we can."

Chester beat Buxton 2-1 on Wednesday to reach the play-off semi-final. The play-off final will be held on Sunday, May 18.

Brown is expecting a tight contest with The Seals, saying: "This is a one-off shoot out. We have got to make sure we bring our A-game and that the opposition don’t. It’s a reactive kind of game. You have to be at your best and make sure you stop them playing and doing what they are good at.

"We have been playing some brilliant football this season and we have to make sure we do. 

"Sometimes the best team doesn’t win on any given day. But, in a period of 46 games you are top because you are the best team. We finished third that was one above Chester.

"We are both in a rich vein of form. I think it is going to be a game of fine margins. It is going to be a case of who can win the small percentages to win the game. We have played Chester twice, drawn both of them, they were close and tight games and good games of tactical awareness by both coaches.

"Both managers went away happy because there was a game the next week, but after this one there isn’t if you lose. It will probably be a game where both sides in certain areas will nullify each other, and then someone will try and get the edge by doing something different and I think we have some players who can do that."