Manager John Hollins said Crawley have to learn to be less predictable to have any chance of beating the drop.

Reds lost at Kidderminster last night to remain in the Conference relegation zone.

They paid the price for a lacklustre first half performance, during which Simon Russell scored a long-range thunderbolt to give Harriers the points.

The manor of defeat was made worse for Hollins by the fact it came so soon after Crawley had torn apart Altringham to end a run of four straight league losses.

He said: "It was so disappointing for it to go from what was fantastic on Saturday to this.

"We are trying to put our finger on what it is. We became too predictable and that is something we have to change. If we can play at a good tempo where we can dictate we are a good side but we fail to do that.

"We didn't perform in the first half and then only created two chances in the second, which is not good enough."

Gavin Gordon made his debut up front having signed non-contract terms following his release from Notts County.

Steve Burton made way to accommodate the new man, which was the only change to the side, despite his impressive performance on Saturday.

As well as Gordon, Reds had another unfamiliar name in their squad. Young goalkeeper Chris Banks was on the bench after joining on work experience from Crystal Palace. Banks replaced regular No. 2 Scott Ward, who is on trial at Plymouth Argyle.

Gordon had only played seven first team games at Notts County this season, his last coming back in December, so it was not surprising he looked short of match sharpness in the first half.

He was not the only one, however, as Crawley were a shadow of the side who had eased to victory three days previously.

They only only created one chance in the opening 45 minutes when Tony Scully opted to shoot from 20 yards and fired wide when a pass to Daryl Clare appeared the better option.

Kidderminster took a deserved advantage into the break courtesey of a wonderful strike by Russell.

The lively midfielder collected the ball 30 yards from goal and unleashed a stunning drive that flashed past Phil Smith's full-length dive.

The home side twice almost added to their lead soon after. Andy White forced Smith into a point-blank stop with a volley from close range before the same player sidefooted just past a post from Gareth Sheldon's low cross.

Hollins' side upped the tempo after the interval and instantly caused problems.

Paul Armstrong ran on to a neat cushioned volley by Gordon and had a shot deflected wide. Harriers keeper John Danby then made a fingertip save after Dave Woozley looped a header goalwards from a corner.

Gordon's evening ended just before the hour when he was replaced by Burton.

Kidderminster thought they had scored a second ten minutes later when White nodded in from close range but their celebrations were cut short by the referee, who disallowed the effort for a push on Woozley.

The let-off was a rare moment of concern for Crawley, who dominated the rest of the game as they pushed hard for a leveller.

Scully was their main threat and he went close with an angled volley over the top and again when he fired straight at Danby following a jinking run.

Burton almost salvaged a point late on when he turned defender Gavin Hurren in the box and disappointingly fired into the side netting.

Kidderminster: Danby, Sedgemore, Osborne, Mullins, Harkness, Russell (sub Wilson 87), Fleming, Sheldon (sub Smith 65), Hurren, Thompson, White. Subs not used: Lewis, Howarth, Francis.

Crawley Town: Smith, Judge, Mendy, Woozley (sub Clay 73), Opinel, Armstrong, Simpemba, Blackburn (sub Ekoku 81), Scully, Clare, Gordon (sub Burton 59). * * Subs not used: Banks, Brown.

Referee: R. Fletcher (Derbyshire).

Attendance: 1,302.

Man-of-the-match: Tony Scully.