Town went down to a controversial 3-0 defeat at Moss Lane, Altrincham.
The Robins made a bright start with the prolific Damian Reeves hitting the bar as early as the second minute.
Craig MacGillivray made excellent saves from Nicky Clee and Jake Moult, before Town got a foothold in the game.Adam Bolder and Paul Bolland combined well to release Dwayne Samuels, but his near post cross was cut out by home keeper Stuart Coburn.
Town slipped behind to a goal on the half hour when Moult’s cross from the bye line was turned in by Simon Richman.
The defining moment in the game came after 38 minutes, when MacGillivray clashed with Reeves as they contested Matt Doughty’s ball into the area.
MacGillivray was shown the red card by Referee Johnson, although contact appeared to be minimal.
Lee Elam was replaced by Matt Bloomer and Adam Nowakowski took over in goal as Town reorganised.
Adam’s first act was to brilliantly save Doughty’s penalty.
However, three minutes after the break,he was powerless to keep out a looping header from Carl Rodgers.
This heralded Town’s best period with subs Robbie Youhill and Danny Forrest taking the game to Altrincham.
Shane Killock and Jonny Allan went close, while at the other end,Nowakowski made several fine saves to keep Town in the game.
With a quarter of an hour left,a low drive past the unsighted Nowakowski, made it three.
Town battled to the end and Youhill’s fine run down the left created a chance for Bolder,but his close range shot was charged down.
Harrogate squandered a late chance to get on to the scoresheet when Youhill was hauled down by Gianluca Havern,but Forrest drove the resulting penalty straight at Coburn.
The game ended with a speculative 35 yard effort bouncing off the Town crossbar,to underline a disappointing afternoon for the visitors.
Altrincham 3 Harrogate Town 0
Attendance 707
Town 1 MacGillivray, 2 Samuels, 3 Merris, 4 Bolder, 5 White, 6 Killock, 7 Bolland, 8 Nowakowski, 8 Allan (Forrest 58), 10 Baker (Youhill 69), 11 Elam (Bloomer 43).
Unused subs, 12 Chilaka,14 Dean. Sent off MacGillivray. Bookings nil.
