NORMALLY the victim of reckless challenges rather than a perpetrator, Clayton Donaldson received the first red card of his professional career during York City's 2-1 defeat at Kidderminster Harriers.

Laid-back Donaldson rarely displays any malicious intent on the field and, prior to Saturday's Aggborough clash, had only been cautioned five times in 84 senior outings for Hull City, Scarborough, Halifax and the Minstermen.

But the Conference's leading marksman earned his first-ever suspension after leading with his elbow on 51 minutes and clattering into Kidderminster captain Stuart Whitehead.

City were already trailing by a goal at that stage and Harriers quickly doubled their advantage but a spirited fightback from the ten men should provide the KitKat Crescent faithful with some hope that their team can maintain their play-off bid without the services of their talismanic striker in the next three games.

It would be churlish to suggest that any side would not miss a player who has scored 20 goals and created another 13 this season but City are not a one-man team.

That had been evident in their previous two outings - impressive victories over Morecambe and Crawley Town - and was apparent again during the last half hour of this encounter.

With Donaldson back in the changing rooms, second-half substitute Martyn Woolford, on for tenative debutant Michael Maidens, provided attacking inspiration.

Woolford's flair and direct running frightened Kidderminster despite their numerical advantage and could prove crucial in the next three matches.

Unfortunately, whereas Donaldson's finishing is now polished following a sometimes uncertain first full season in senior football, Woolford remains unreliable in front of goal and the former Frickley winger shot straight at goalkeeper Scott Bevan on 73 minutes, rendering Craig Farrell's late strike a mere consolation.

But City will be hoping too that Farrell can continue to get on the scoresheet in Donaldson's absence having now netted in his last three games although he also failed to convert an earlier one-on-one opportunity.

The visitors fell behind in controversial circumstances when goalkeeper Tom Evans was adjudged to have carried the ball out of his area by the referee's assistant before he punted upfield.

It was a marginal decision but symptomatic of the nit-picking officials, who even ordered the kick off to be retaken after Farrell encroached a yard into the Kidderminster half.

Inevitably, Jeff Kenna's 12th-minute, 20-yard free kick deflected off Steve Bowey and ricocheted off an unwitting James Constable to beat the furious Evans.

Darren Craddock, who had vowed to clean up his act after losing his place in the team because of suspension, picked up a caution for tripping the lively Michael Blackwood and was fortunate to escape further cesnure when he flattened Iyseden Christie.

Determined City captain Emmanuel Panther, who also lived dangerously with a couple of unpunished two-footed lunges, went close to equalising when he volleyed wide from 20 yards after Bevan had punched out a Craddock cross.

Nimble footwork and good vision from Donaldson then created a chance for Neal Bishop, who expertly collected the ball in his stride before forcing a low save from Bevan.

But Kidderminster regained the initiative in the ten minutes prior to half-time with Blackwood seeing a goalbound effort blocked by Anthony Lloyd after a break down in communication along City's back line and Christie then heading against the bar.

Farrell's first chance came four minutes after the interval when he was sent clear by a powerful header out of defence by Jason Goodliffe.

But rather than bearing down on Bevan's goal, Farrell chose the more elaborate option of attempting to lob the back-peddalling goalkeeper.

Had he succeeded, Farrell's ingenuity would have been hailed by City's fans but Bevan's save just made his effort look wasteful.

Donaldson then disappeared angrily down the tunnel after becoming the sixth City player to receive his marching orders this season following Evans, Steve Bowey, Craddock, James Dudgeon and Nathan Peat.

Moments later, Jonny Harkness curled a free-kick narrowly over Evans' crossbar before an unmarked Blackwood stabbed home Luke Reynolds' cross from the right at the far post.

City then began to express themselves. Ross Greenwood's distribution from right-back after he replaced Craddock was impeccable and his pass resulted in a smart through ball on the turn from Farrell that released Woolford only for the chance that he squandered.

The next time the two players combined proved more profitable with Woolford turning the provider for Farrell, who cut inside Kenna before unleashing a powerful low shot into Bevan's bottom left-hand corner from 12 yards.

Kidderminster, however, went on to secure their sixth successive victory and, for once, home boss Mark Yates' manager of the month presentation was no curse for his side.

Match facts

Kidderminster Harriers 2 (Constable 14, Blackwood 56); York City 1 (Farrell 83)Evans 6, Craddock 5 (Greenwood 60m 7), Goodliffe 6 (Parslow 79m), McGurk 7, Lloyd 6, Maidens 5 (Woolford HT 7), Panther 7, Bishop 7, Bowey 6, Donaldson 5, Farrell 7.

Key: 10 - Faultless; 9 - Outstanding; 8 - Excellent; 7 - Good; 6 - Average; 5 - Below par; 4 - Poor; 3 - Dud; 2 - Hopeless; 1 - Retire.

Subs (not used): McMahon, Reid.

Star man: Bishop - another good all-round midfield display and went close to scoring a rare goal.

Kidderminster Harriers: Scott Bevan, Jeff Kenna, Mark Creighton, Stuart Whitehead, Jonny Harkness, Simon Russell (Brian Smikle, 84), Gavin Hurren, Russell Penn, Michael Blackwood, James Constable (Andy White, 76), Iyseden Christie (Luke Reynolds HT). Subs not used: Jake Sedgemore, Steve Taylor.

Bookings: Craddock 18, Penn 41, Reynolds 71.

Sent off: Donaldson 51.Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire). Rating: Made several puzzling decisions but probably got the major ones right.

Attendance: 2,073.

Weather watch: Chilly and breezy.

Game breaker: Donaldson's dismissal led to a brief spell of Kidderminster dominance that resulted in the home side's second goal.

Match rating: Plenty of controversy and City's ten men worked hard to ensure an even and attractive contest in the second half.

Billy's verdict: "The players battled away and the effort was excellent for ten men but the first half was disappointing"

Player watch: Michael Maidens

Goal attempts on target: 0Goal attempts off target: 0Blocked goal attempts: 0Passes to own player: 12Passess to opposition: 5Crosses to own player: 0Crosses to opposition: 4Pass success rate: 57.1 per centDribbles ball retained: 1 Dribbles ball lost: 4Dribble success rate: 20 per centHeaders: 2 Tackles: Clearances, blocks and interceptions: 1 Free-kicks won: 1Free-kicks conceded: 0 Offsides: 0Bookings: 0Final summary: Looked slightly nervous and a bit short of match fitness on his debut before being replaced at half-time. He struggled to pick up the pace of the game and failed to capitalise on a number of promising positions. He only went past his man once but could prove a good outlet if his confidence grows.