A brilliant second half performance saw Town run in six past a shell-shocked Corby Town.
The match was played at the magnificent Keepmoat Stadium, home of Doncaster Rovers,because of Town’s ongoing pitch problems.
Jose Da Veiga replaced the suspended Craig MacGillivray in goal, and Simon Weaver gave a debut to new signing from Gainsborough, Dominic Knowles.
It took a while for Town to shake off their ring rust and Da Veiga was the busier keeper displaying a safe pair of hands to thwart the Steelmen’s attacks.
Alan White made a tremendous block on the line after a Da Veiga punch out and Dwayne Samuels denied Ryan Semple who was clean through.
Town had their moments in a largely forgettable first half with Paul Bolland shooting over and Chib Chilaka just missing the far post with a dangerous cross shot.
All was to change within four minutes of the second period, Dave Merris played in Robbie Youhill and his low drive took a slight deflection to give Paul Walker no chance.
Two minutes later, Dan Forrest found Knowles and his through pass was dispatched into the corner of the net by Chilaka.
Harrogate were in full cry, Adam Bolder shot narrowly over with the outside of his foot, before
Samuels was bundled over in the box,enabling Knowles to score his first goal from the penalty spot.
On 65 minutes, Corby lost all chance of salvaging something from the match when impressive centre half, Carl Piergianni, was red carded by Referee Tankard for bringing down Chilaka from behind. Chib duly made no mistake from the spot.
Craig Radcliffe made a welcome return on the hour when he replaced Alan White, who was suffering from a chest injury.
This made no difference to the Wetherby Roaders, because with quarter of an hour left, Forrest’s excellent crossfield pass found Knowles and he cut in to shoot past Walker for number five.
Corby weren’t quite done with, a double substitution gave them new life, and the unmarked Francis Green gave them an 80th minute consolation after Town were opened up down the right.
Adam Baker replaced the limping Chilaka and soon found himself on the scoresheet when he blasted home a Samuels cross with only three minutes left.
This emphatic victory lifts Harrogate up to 10th in the table.
Town 1 Da Veiga, 2 Samuels, 3 Merris, 4 Bolder, 5 White(Radcliffe 60)), 6 Bloomer, 7 Youhill (Dean 85), 8 Bolland (c) 9 Chilaka (Baker 78), 10 Knowles, 11 Forrest.
Unused subs 14 Elam, 15 Beesley. Booking Bolder.
Scorers,Youhill 49,Chilaka 51,69 pen,Knowles 65 pen,75,Baker 87.
Attendance 99
