Harrogate Town battled to a creditable draw against Darlington in their final pre-season friendly.
The Quakers made the brighter start and ex Guiseley player James Walshaw saw his early effort well blocked by Mark Cook.
An excellent move between Chris Atkinson and Kris Taylor was ended by Jake Picton conceding a corner,which was headed over by Graeme Lee.
However, it was a Craig Radcliffe corner at the other end after a quarter of an hour,that saw Town take the lead,when Adam Nowakowski rose above the visiting defence to head home.
Town soon had an opportunity to double the score when Paul Brayson picked up an header from debutant Will Turl but fired well over the bar.
Although Darlington had more of the play the home defence held firm and the Quakers were reduced to shooting from outside the box.
Just before the break, a testing centre from the impressive Radcliffe caused consternation in the visiting defence,but from the clearance
Atkinson chipped over the Town crossbar.
Town started the second half with some purpose;Brayson drove straight at keeper Sam Russell through a crowded area,then shot wide after Town broke quickly from defence.
Darlington brought on five subs in an effort to equalise and it took a superb tackle from Picton to halt Atkinson’s powerful run into the box.
Harrogate were pushed back on to defence,and it was no surprise when with ten minutes left sub Tommy Wright slid home the equaliser with his first touch in the match.
Town weathered Darlo’s late storm and new boy Luis Audrade even forced Russell to make a save at the foot of the post as the game ended in stalemate.
Final Score: Harrogate Town 1 – 1 Darlington
Harrogate Town: Mark Cook, Matt Bloomer, Craig Radcliffe, Ian Ross, Adam Nowakowski (Richard Pell), Jake Picton, Laurie Wilson, Michael Tait, Paul Brayson (Luis Audrade), Will Turl, Stephen Turnbull (Lee Elam)
Subs Unused: Paul Heckingbottom, Danny Wright, Jak Donaldson, Chris Elliott
John Harrison
