Brakes 1 Harrogate Town 2: Harrogate make the most of their chances in a game that neither side deserved to win
In a dour game played out on a heavy pitch, neither side could lay claim to deserving the three points.
However, after a defensive error apiece had taken the sides in level at the interval, a lucky ricochet presented Harrogate with the chance to get their noses in front and the hosts never looked like restoring parity.
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Hide AdWith Matt Dodd absent through illness there was a welcome return from a hernia problem for Lee Chilton, while Josh Hawker also came back into the Brakes starting XI.
The slick surface of the previous Tuesday had given way to energy-sapping mud and both sides were guilty of a lack of composure in the opening stages as hopeful punts forward far outweighed measured passing.
There had been nothing even loosely resembling a chance before Leamington opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a goal that owed much to the persistence of recent signing Danny Newton.
James Mace’s ball forward looked meat and drink for Shane Killock, but the Town defender inexplicably ducked out of his header to allow Newton to nip in and nudge the ball past keeper Craig MacGillivray and into the net.
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Hide AdTony Breeden dealt well with a couple of dangerous crossses as Town looked to respond, but he was powerless to prevent Ashley Worsfield making it 1-1 in the 34th minute.
Again, it was a defensive blunder which presented the chance, with Liam Daly misjudging a high ball forward to allow Adi Yussuf to get into the box.
The winger pulled the ball back for Worsfield, who made up for a poor first touch by stabbing the ball home with his second as Breeden advanced.
Despite the paucity of chances, it could have been even worse for Brakes as half-time approached, with Breeden having to produce a fine one-handed save to deny Worsfield.
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Hide AdThe second half began at a better tempo, with James Mace producing a timely block to prevent Steve Mallory putting Harrogate in front after an error from Stephan Morley.
Lee Moore’s dangerous ball across the face of the goal deserved better, while Breeden had to be out bravely to deny T0wn substitute and former Hollyoaks actor Chris Hall.
Hawker threaded a shot through a host of bodies, but it was comfortable for MacGillivray, who was relieved to see Newton drag his effort wide from the edge of the box.
The willing Newton then produced a brilliant first touch to collect Breeden’s long punt forward, but with two defenders in his wake he was unable to get enough purchase on his shot and McGillivray was again equal to it.
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Hide AdJahmal Smith saw a shot deflected wide after a good spell for the visitors before Johnson had two clear sights of goal for Brakes.
The first saw him elect to try and chest the ball down instead of firing off a header, while the second, following a header back across goal from Daly, resulted in a free-kick for a foul on McGillivray and the ball in the Harbury Lane End.
The winner, when it came, owed much to good fortune, with the ball rebounding off Ryan Higgins into the path of Adam Bolder eight yards out.
With most in the ground expecting a shot, the former Hull City and Derby County midfielder instead lifted the ball across goal for Connor Sellars to head home from close range.
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Hide AdWith something to hold on to, Town stepped up their defensive efforts and a tame Chilton header apart, there were to be no further sights of goal for the home side.
Town had an anxious moment when MacGillivray and substitute Will Green both went to ground as they challenged for a loose ball just inside the box. However, the Harrogate keeper emerged clutching on to the ball and with the three points also safely pouched.
Brakes: Tony Breeden, Ryan Higgins, Stephan Morley, Josh Hawker, Liam Daly, James Mace, Lee Moore, Craig Owen (David McNamee, 74), Danny Newton, Ricky Johnson, Lee Chilton (Will Green, 84). Subs not used: Luke Connolly, Josh Green, Lewis Fenney.
Harrogate Town: Craig MacGillivray, Dwayne Samuels, Dave Merris, Adam Bolder, Matt Heath, Shane Killock, Steve Mallory (Cleveland Taylor, 60), Adam Nowakowski, Ashley Worsfield (Conor Sellars, 66), Jahmal Smith, Adi Yussuf (Chris Hall, 46) Subs not used: Craig Nelthorpe, Matt Bloomer.