Harrogate Town were disappointingly held to a draw by a spirited Droylsden, at the CNG Stadium.
Lee Elam made a start and Danny Forrest replaced the injured Paul Beesley at number 8.
For the Bloods, new signing from Town,Danny Stimpson,was included in the substitutes,but took no part in the game.
Town dominated the first half hour, as the Droylsden team , obviously low on confidence, hardly mounted an attack.
An Elam shot from a Dom Knowles pass was cleared with difficulty, but on 17 minutes Town took the lead.
Shane Killock took advantage of a speculative punt into the visitors box to knock over Shane Latham to put Town one up.
Then Droysden’s Stefan Cox was robbed by Elam,who found Dave Merris, but his defence splitting pass was driven straight at Latham by Forrest.
Dom Knowles was inches high with a free kick,but it was then Droylsden’s turn to turn up the heat.
Warning shots were fired,when Craig MacGillivray had to dive at the feet of Gomez Dali and then Dali almost took advantage of a weak back pass, rounding MacGillivray, but fortunately for Town,shooting into the side netting.
After 41 minutes the visitors got onto the scoresheet, when Matty Ward was allowed to dribble through almost the whole Town defence and score a fine individual goal.
Chib Chilaka had an immediate opportunity to restore Town’s lead as he broke through,but he could only toe poke weakly at Latham.
After the break, Town had early chances to take the lead.
Adam Nowakowski was just over from Elam’s cross, before Dwayne Samuels provided the ammunition for Knowles to shoot narrowly wide.
Meanwhile the Bloods were giving as good as they got, with the ever dangerous Dali threatening with a spectacular overhead kick.
Michael Woods and Robbie Youhill replaced Forrest and Elam as Town strove to break the deadlock.
A superb crossfield ball by Nowakowski released Woods.but his powerful cross shot flashed past the upright.
Adam Bolder shot straight at Latham and Knowles fired just over the angle, as Town strove for a late winner,but the Bloods held out and had chances to snatch a surprise late winner of their own.
A disappointing night for the club and the stoic spectators who braved the freezing weather, but little harm done as the club remain in eighth position.
Town
1 MacGillivray, 2 Samuels, 3 Merris, 4 Bolder, 5 White (c), 6 Killock, 7 Nowakowski, 8 Forrest (Woods 58), 9 Chilaka (Dean 88), 10 Knowles, 11 Elam (Youhill 67).
Unused subs 14 Bolland,15 Bloomer.
Scorer Killock 17 mins. Booking Nowakowski.
Attendance 253
