It was a disappointing night at the EnviroVent Stadium,as Harrogate slipped to a third defeat in four matches, after a 1-0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers.
Simon Weaver made one change to the Town line up with Connor Kirby replacing the suspended Josh Falkingham.
Town started by forcing a string of corners,but couldn’t turn pressure into goals.
A Conner Hall goal bound header from a Dan Jones long throw was blocked a Rovers head ,but it was Tranmere who finished the half in the ascendancy.
Corey Blackett-Taylor and Liam Feeney began to trouble the Town defence and on the stroke of half time James Vaughan shot past James Belshaw only to see his effort come back off the upright.
Tranmere continued their dominance after the break and the home defence had to show their mettle to keep the visitors at bay.
Town brought on Tom Walker and Jon Stead to replace Brendan Kiernan and Aaron Martin,but it was a Rovers sub who struck the vital blow.
On 79 minutes,Feeney’s cross was diverted to Otis Khan who side footed into the corner of the net with the Town defence in disarray.
Unfortunately for Town,Will Smith had to be stretchered of the field after a heavy fall which necessitated a trip to hospital.
Kevin Lokko took his place but Tranmere held firm in the long period of added time to send Town home pointless.
Harrogate have an early chance to return to winning ways when they entertain Skelmersdale United on Friday evening in the First Round Proper of the F A Cup,which is to be played in front of the B T TV cameras.
Town,
Belshaw,Burrell,Jones,Smith(Lokko 85),Hall,Thomson,Kirby,Kerry,Kiernan(Walker 70),Martin(Stead 75),Muldoon.
Unused subs,Cracknell,Emmett,Beck, Booked,Kirby 58
Tranmere,
Davies,O’Connor,Clarke,Monthe,Ridehalgh,Spearing,Lewis,Feeney,Morris(Khan 75),Blackett-Taylor(Woolery 75),Vaughan.
Unused subs,Nelson,Murphy,MacDonald,Banks,Smith.
Scorer,Khan 79. Booked Monthe 66
Referee,Ross Joyce.
By John Harrison.
