Stamford Continue Trophy Run

The Daniels shrugged off a series of setbacks to upset their high-flying National League North visitors in the second round tie.

They lost centre-half Jordon Cooke to injury after just seven minutes and then top-drawer goalkeeping recruit Luke Steele was also forced off just past the hour mark.

Teenage custodian Max Peverell took over the goalkeeping duties and went on to keep a clean sheet as the Daniels progressed thanks to Rob Morgan's 18th minute winner.

Morgan turned home Sean Wright's flick-on from a Connor Bartle corner to net the all-important goal which sent Stamford into the fourth round of the competition after they received a bye at the next stage.

Morgan was also forced to play the final 20 minutes through the pain barrier after picking up a groin injury when Stamford had already used their allocation of three substitutes.

But Kidderminster were unable to find a way through Stamford's superbly organised rearguard as manager Graham Drury's game-plan was worked to perfection by his players.

Drury said: "We showed experience beyond our levels and our ages.

"We had a game-plan from the first minute that we walked into the building. Credit to the changing room again because they have stuck to it.
"We wanted to let their defence have the ball and then shut the pitch off to not allow them to get down the sides.
"We had to defend strong and we needed to be good in both boxes which is the case in every game of football that you play.
"We have stuck one of our chances away and then put our bodies on the line to keep them out and I'm absolutely over the moon.
"It's fantastic to think that we have the desire and the confidence to come up against a side like Kidderminster and show that we are a force to be reckoned with.
"Everything seemed to be going against us with the injuries, but these boys are a pleasure to work with and I keep saying that week in, week out.
"They are resilient, have got quality with a lot of heart and desire and the whole club is in a nice place."

The introduction of former Peterborough United and Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Steele was the only change to the Stamford starting line-up from Saturday's first round success at Kidsgrove.

Kidderminster arrived at the Zeeco Stadium having lost just once in their last 10 National League North games.

The early exchanges were pretty even with Stamford regrouping well from the early loss of Cooke to a recurring calf problem.

Wright slotted in seamlessly alongside James Blunden at the heart of the Daniels defence and, with a terrific work-rate throughout the Stamford side, Kidderminster struggled to make an impression on the hosts.

Ashley Hemmings saw a shot from distance easily gathered by Steele who was then smartly off his line to smother at the feet of Amari Morgan-Smith.

Stamford started to grow in confidence and took the lead on the 18th minute mark after forcing a corner when Tendai Chitiza's decent hit was deflected behind.

Connor Bartle swung in the corner kick to the near post which was guided goalwards by Wright with Morgan then flicking home the final touch to give Stamford an advantage they never really looked like surrendering.

Steele had to be alert as the first half neared to a close when he scrambled away Luke Maxwell's back post header to ensure the Daniels held the lead at the break.

Kidderminster upped the ante at the start of the second half after Morgan had headed a decent opening over from Chitiza's cross but the visitors struggled to create any clear-cut openings.

Morgan-Smith flashed a shot wide while Omari Sterling-James headed straight at Steele when well placed.

Daniels defender Joe Burgess produced a couple of crucial blocks to thwart Morgan-Smith and substitute Ethan Freemantle before Steele had to be replaced after sustaining a muscle injury.

Morgan then went down shortly after with a groin injury but, having used all their substitutes, soldiered on as a lone frontman with Tom Siddons dropping back into midfield.

Kidderminster continued to push and probe but were unable to find a chink in the Stamford armoury.

Peverell was down smartly to hold onto a stinging shot from Hemmings as Stamford safely saw out the remainder of the game and the six minutes of injury-time.

The victory now takes the Daniels into the last 32 of the competition and extended their impressive start to the campaign.

They remain unbeaten over 90 minutes this season, haven't tasted defeat since January and, on this showing, it is going to take a very good side to prevent that tremendous run from continuing.