Boreham Wood are two points from safety after losing 2-0 at home to Kidderminster Harriers to give the National League’s bottom side their first away win in 23 attempts.

Defeat leaves Wood in 21st place – two points behind Halifax Town who, despite their loftier position, have a worse goal difference.

Ben Whitfield gave Harriers a 21st-minute lead before Elton Ngwatala completed the win from the penalty spot with 15 minutes remaining.

Wood boss Luke Garrard said afterwards: “We looked bright and sharp for 20 minutes then went to sleep for the free-kick that led to the first goal.

“Thereafter we allowed Kidderminster to take full control of proceedings. The penalty was a catalogue of errors from us.

“I was quiet on the bench today – there was not much I could say. But believe me we had words after the final whistle.

“Our performances against the sides at the bottom of the table, in what we call our mini league, have been poor, but we have 16 games left to affect our season.”

Garrard made two changes to the side that started a fortnight earlier against Eastleigh with Delano Sam-Yorke making his league debut in a two-pronged attack while Billy Clifford made way for the fit again Anthony Jeffrey.

A cagey start with a blustery wind blowing diagonally across the park in Wood's favour soon gave way with Clovis Kamdjo hitting a low effort straight at Dean Snedker from 35 yards.

A minute later a sublime cross from the right wing from Ricky Shakes found Sam-Yorke but his finish was poor and a fine chance for Wood to stamp their authority on the game went begging.

Harriers then created a chance when Jared Hodgkiss' cross from the right was met by Arthur Gnahoua who side-footed wide of the target when well placed.

The game was end-to-end with both sides competing at this stage. Jeffrey cut inside from the wing seeing his shot deflected behind for a corner before Sam-Yorke was denied by a fine interception from Kelvin Langmead.

Sam-Yorke was to again be denied by Langmead a minute later when his header from a Jeffrey cross was forced off target by the ex-Northampton Town defender.

Wood were enjoying the better of the game at this early stage with Jamie Lucas finding the side netting after Snedker had made saves from both Conor Clifford and Sam-Yorke.

It was to be against the run of play that Wood were to fall on the sword after Clifford had cheaply ended the run of Ngwatala.

The free kick, awarded 30 yards from goal, saw Ngwatala and Whitfield appear to get in each other’s way. Wood went to sleep, Ngwatala passed the ball to Whitfield and he unleashed a low drive which beat James Russell at his left hand post to give the visitors the lead.

Harriers’ approach restricted Wood who weren’t having it their own way. Danny Woodards went close with a fine volley from Kamdjo's knockdown, but it failed to trouble Snedker who saved.

Woodards, who was by far the best Wood player on the pitch, then produced a quite remarkable goal-line clearance at the other end. The lively Whitfield danced around a below-par Ben Nunn to set up Gnahoua for a powerful volley from 12 yards.

At the point of impact Russell was beaten and Woodards had not even arrived on the line, yet somehow he headed clear to keep Wood one behind.

Kidderminster finished the half in complete control with Luke Maxwell controlling proceedings in a midfield where Wood were completely abject.

It needed a piece of stout defending from Sam-Yorke to deny Keith Lowe at the far post from a Whitfield corner before the break.

It was more of the same after the interval with the Wood defence clearing aimless balls up-field, allowing the visitors to enjoy the lion’s share of possession.

The second goal came after 75 minutes when Gnahoua was bought down by a half-hearted challenge from David Stephens. Ngwatala doubled the visitors’ lead from the penalty spot.

Whitfield almost converted direct from the corner with Wood failing to trouble the Kiddy defence, leaving the basement side worthy of all three points - their performance on the afternoon in no way mirroring their current league standing.

Boreham Wood: Russell; Nunn, Doe, Stephens, Woodards; Shakes, Kamdjo, C.Clifford, Jeffrey; Lucas, Sam-Yorke (B.Clifford 63).

Subs: Edwards (GK), Cox, Howell, Devera