Harrogate Town twice had to come from behind to gain a 2-2 draw against a resilient Scarborough Athletic.
After two speculative efforts from Warren Burrell and Joe Leesley were easily dealt with by Jordan Porter in the Seadogs goal, Boro hit back with Callum Robinson’s teasing centre across Town’s goal,luckily finding no takers.
However,on the quarter hour the visitors took the lead when,Chris Bolder got behind the Town defence and squared for ex Town favourite,Adam Bolder to slot past Peter Crook.
Town hit back through Leesley who curled a dangerous shot just wide of the visitor’s upright.
On eighteen minutes,Dom Knowles limped off to be replaced by Chib Chilaka who soon made his presence felt with a strong run which yielded a corner.
Scarborough only half cleared Andi Thanoj’s corner and the ball was returned into the area for Chilaka to hook into the top corner for Town’s first equaliser.
The first action of the second half saw another ex Townie,Dave Merris, pick out the towering,Ben Igiehon,at the far post and his downward header crept between Peter Crook and the upright to restore Boro’s lead.
Jack Emmett replaced Andy Gascoigne and he soon made his presence felt with a shot which was diverted into the path of Leesley who forced Porter to beat out his powerful drive.
Within seconds, a deep centre from the industrious Leesley, hit the top of the Seadog’s crossbar, with Porter stranded,but it took until the seventyfifth minute for Town to equalise for the second time.
John Paul Pitman who had replaced Jordan Robertson, was brought down to the right of the penalty area and Simon Ainge went forward to head home Leesley’s well flighted free kick past Porter.
Scarborough hit back strongly and the unmarked Igiehon fluffed a great chance to restore their lead when he was sent clear by Adam Bolder’s pass, only to sky his shot over the bar.
But it was Town who dominated the final minutes with Lloyd Kerry firing over from twentyfive yards and Tom Platt’s deflected shot forcing Porter to turn the ball round the post.
Joel Purkiss had a shot blocked for a corner,and the last action of the match saw Pitman find Purkiss with an incisive through ball,only for him to by denied by the excellent Porter.
Harrogate Town 2 Scarborough Athletic 2 Att.323
Report by John Harrison
Photography by Craig Hurle
