Simon Weaver praised his sides team spirit as they held Celtic to a goalless draw, despite playing for about 80 minutes with only ten men.
After a positive start, in which both Dan Clayton and Colin Larkin had shots saved by keeper Alex Cairns, disaster struck for Town.
In the eleventh minute,Dave Merris’s lofted back pass was handled outside his area by Jose Da Veiga, leaving Referee Graeme Fyvie no option but to wave his red card.
Matt Bloomer took over in goal and distinguished himself with a fine performance which earned the plaudits of the crowd.
He was soon called into action when he had to race out of his goal to head away from Chris Hall.
A superb break from Colin Larkin produced a vital block from Cairns,while at the other end, Shane Killock made a timely tackle to halt Celtic’s Adam Parkinson.
Early in the second half, Larkin took advantage of a short back pass to break clear and square to Lee Elam, but his delayed shot was charged down.
Town were in the ascendancy and Larkin forced Cairns into a full lengh save and moments later Clayton had a shot diverted for a corner.
Inevitably, Town began to tire in the warm sunshine and Celtic began to find space,especially on the left, where sub Mitchell Austin began to prove a danger.
Austin and Hall shot across goal and Tom Buckley headed over when well placed.
Town, prompted by Paul Bolland and Michael Woods, still had a sting in their tail and Celtic only half cleared a dangerous Dwayne Samuels cross straight to sub, Danny Hull who shot just over from thirty yards.
Bloomer brought the house down when he tipped Buckley’s rising drive over the bar and in the dying moments Austin blazed wide, but Town were good value for their point.
The play-offs are now out of reach,but we can now look forward to Tuesday’s mouthwatering clash with local rivals, Guiseley F C.
Harrogate Town 0 – 0 Stalybridge Celtic
Town
1 Da Veiga, 2 Bloomer, 3 Merris, 4 Elam (Allan 81), 5 White ( Radcliffe 69), 6 Killock,
7 Samuels, 8 Bolland (c), 9 Larkin, 10 Woods, 11 Clayton ( Hull 59).
Unused subs, 16 Garbutt, 17 Chilaka. Sent Off Da Veiga. Booked White,Woods.
