Kidderminster Harriers returned to the National League after beating South Shields 2-0 in the North division play-off final.

Harriers - who were losing semi-finalists last season - soaked up lots of pressure before scoring two goals in as many minutes in the final 10 minutes before half-time.

Kieren Donnelly headed his side in front and Charlie Cooper blasted in a second moments later.

South Shields dominated the second half but Kidderminster defended bravely as they beat their opponents for the third time this season.

Harriers - who have spent the past two campaigns in the sixth tier - join National League North champions AFC Fylde in earning promotion.

South Shields had led the league on goal difference with two games to go but only managed one further point and finished five behind title winners Fylde.

But having beaten fifth-placed Buxton 1-0 in their semi-final last week, the Mariners appeared in no mood to let a second chance of promotion slip as Sean McGurk, Sonny Finch and Paul Blackett all went close in the opening 12 minutes while Richard Faakye's brave block to denied Jack Roles just after the half hour.

Harriers took the lead with their first effort of note as Donnelly nodded home George Walker's deep cross from the right at the far post for his sixth goal in seven games.

Two minutes later they were 2-0 up as Cooper fired home from Donnelly's pass after David Davis won the ball high up the field.

Kidderminster - who began the final on a seven-game winning run - could have been 3-0 up at the break but former Birmingham City midfielder Davis flashed a low effort just wide of the far post.

South Shields wasted little time trying to find an equaliser following the re-start, with Blackett and McGurk both having 47th-minute shots blocked before Finch skewed a follow up high.

Christian Dibble made a number of good saves to keep the north-east side out as the game reached the hour mark.

The hosts seemed to run out of steam in the final quarter before McGurk forced another good stop from former Wrexham goalkeeper Dibble with 10 minutes to go and Blackett headed wide six minutes later.

Harriers then held out through eight minutes of stoppage time to the joy of their travelling supporters.

Kidderminster Harriers manager Adam Murray told BBC Hereford and Worcester:

"It's been a grind, an absolute grind.

"I think these boys have played with unbelievable pressure for the last six months now and I'm so proud of them.

"They had a tough time at the start, we all took some incredible abuse and they've stuck together and come through it.

"To finish it off today with that performance I'm just so, so proud."

South Shields boss Ian Watson told BBC Radio Newcastle:

"A tough day for everyone at the football club, made tougher because, in my opinion, we were the better team.

"We created a lot of chances and just had a crazy two minutes which has ultimately not just cost us the game, it's cost us promotion so it hurts that extra bit more.

"You can have an unbelievable season, get 99 goals and 95 points but it's still not enough, you then have to go to the play-offs, which is really tough at this level.

"We just wanted to put a performance out there that would give us an opportunity to win the game and I felt we did that, we just haven't taken the chances."