Harrogate Town’s assault on the play off places continued with a feisty victory over Boston United.
The Pilgrims exerted early pressure with a series of long throws into the box, forcing Adam Nowakoski and Adam Bolder to make important defensive headers.
However it was Town who struck first.
An accidental collision between Mike Woods and Boston keeper Dan Haystead,saw Bolder first to the loose ball,and his sliced attempt fell luckily to Danny Forrest, who promptly crossed for Tom Platt to sweep home.Haystead received a yellow card from Referee Neil Sharp for his vehement protests.
Nine minutes later, Woods doubled Town’s lead with an exquisite lob from the edge of the penalty area,as Town threatened to take complete command.
Bolder went narrowly wide from 20 yards and the Pilgrims survived a goalmouth scramble which ended with a clearance off the line.
The ever dangerous Marc Newsham and ex Townie, Ian Ross, both shot over the bar as Boston countered.
Boston must have been read the riot act at half time because they mounted a brilliant second half fight back.
Craig MacGillivray saved well from Jason Field and Dwayne Samuels blocked the follow up to concede a corner,but on 51 minutes the visitors reduced the arrears.
Town’s defence only half cleared a Boston attack and Ben Milnes lashed home an angled drive.
Twelve minutes later,the Town defence appeared to have closed down Field,but he somehow found space for a deep cross to the far post,where Newsham majestically rose above the defence to head in.
Boston were firmly in the ascendancy, but within minutes had Town restored their lead.
Haystead was unable to hold a Woods shot from the edge of the area, and as Nowakowski raced to knock in the loose ball he was blatantly pulled back by Nathan Stainfield.
Dom Knowles calmly stroked in the resulting penalty.
The game ebbed and flowed,with Dave Merris clearing off the line and Boston sub Tom Ward heading on to the roof of the net.
A breakaway goal in stoppage time by Town sub Lee Elam,ensured that Town had the last laugh in an absorbing contest.
Samuels sent Knowles away down the right and he unselfishly squared to Elam, who shot into the top corner,to cement Town’s win.
Town 1 MacGillivray, 2 Samuels, 3 Merris, 4 Bolder ( Bolland 82), 5 Bloomer, 6 Killock (c), 7 Platt,
8 Nowakowski, 9 Knowles, 10 Woods ( Elam 85), 11 Forrest (Chilaka 75).
Unused subs, 16 Youhill, 17 Radcliffe. Bookings nil
Scorers,Platt 7, Woods 16, Knowles 68pen, Elam 90.
