Former Carlisle United manager Neil McDonald has extended his stay with relegated National League club Kidderminster Harriers.

Despite Kiddy's drop to the sixth tier, they have handed boss Phil Brown and assistant McDonald new deals.

They are now tied to the Aggborough club for the next two seasons having been there since January.

Brown and McDonald were unable to guide Kidderminster to safety but club bosses believe they are the right men to steer them forward.

It is 58-year-old McDonald's latest role in the game and it sees him working under Dean Holdsworth, the former Carlisle striker and brother of former Blues director of football David Holdsworth.

Dean Holdsworth holds a similar position at Kidderminster, whose chairman Richard Lane said in a statement: "Relegation has been a huge disappointment to myself personally, and everyone connected with Kidderminster Harriers Football Club, not least our partners and sponsors, loyal supporters and the local community.

“I have seen the connection Phil and Neil have forged from our players to our fans and believe it can be a foundation for us going forward."

Holdsworth praised the "drive and passion" shown by Brown, McDonald and the players in taking their survival fight into the latter stages of the campaign, Kiddy eventually finishing third bottom, seven points from safety. They were appointed after the departure of another ex-United man in Russ Penn.

“We’re delighted to secure their services for another two seasons," he added.

McDonald was United manager in the 2006/07 season, replacing Paul Simpson at the helm after the latter left for Preston North End.

The former Blues schoolboy player guided United to an eighth-placed finish in their first season back in League One for nine years.

He was then sacked a game into the following campaign, and has since managed or coached at clubs including Ostersunds, Blackpool, West Ham United, Blackburn Rovers, Lincoln City, Leeds United, Hull City, Limerick, Scunthorpe United, Swindon Town, Hyderabad, Walsall, Barrow and Bengaluru.