Simon Weaver was furious about his teams defensive performance as they twice squandered the lead to lose 3-2 at Salford City.
Town made two changes from Saturday’s line up with Kelvin Langmead and Jordan Thewlis replacing Ryan Fallowfield and the suspended Joe Leesley.
Town made a fast start,and Josh Falkingham went close inside the first minute,when he picked up a clearance and shot just wide of the upright.
On nine minutes Town took the lead when Jack Muldoon headed a Liam Kitching cross past Chris Neal,but Town had to endure a nervy wait before the referee awarded the goal after consulting his assistant.
Unfortunately,it took Salford only two minutes to level when Danny Whitehead scored with a low drive into the bottom corner.
Harrogate were back in front on twentyfive minutes when Langmead’s header from George Thomson’s throw was turned in by Kitching.
The game flowed from end to end,and Town’s James Belshaw had to tip Tom Walker’s rising drive over the bar to preserve Town’s lead.
However,Town were undone seconds before the break when Rory Gafffney latched on to a clearance and drove past Belshaw.
It was Gaffney who scored the vital goal just before the hour mark.A clever free kick played the striker behind Town’s defensive wall and he shot home just inside the near post.
Town battered the home defence in the last half hour,but Salford got plenty of bodies behind the ball to smother Town’s attacks.
As the final whistle approached,a trademark header back across the goal from Callum Howe found Mark Smith whose effort sailed over the bar.
This,Town’s third league defeat,saw them drop a place to fifth.
Town
Belshaw,Falkingham,Howe,Burrell,Thomson,Emmett,Beck,Thewlis((Knowles 69),Langmead,Muldoon(Woods 69),Kitching
Unused subs,Fallowfield,Cracknell,Kerry.
Scorers Muldoon 9,Kitching 25. Booking Emmett
Salford
Neal,Wiseman,TourayMaynard(Nolan 51),Pond,Piergianni,Lloyd(Politic 75),Whitehead,Rooney,Gaffney,Walker(Hogan 75).
Unused subs,Crocombe,Dieseruvwe Booked Touay,Politic
Scorers,Whitehead 11,Gaffney 45,57 Att.1206
Referee Daniel Middleton
By John Harrison
@JohnHar59276371
