Harrogate Town are still seeking their first win of the new season after going down 2-1 at Bradford Park Avenue.
Town were rocked within a minute when John Lamb’s long clearance was touched on to Martin Drury by Richard Marshall and his left footed cross shot found the corner of the net.
A cleary stung Town hit back strongly with Louis Swain and Luke Dean winning corners and Dean hitting a twenty yard drive straight at Lamb from Rhys Meynell’s pass.
Ex Town favourite, Chib Chilaka was proving a handful for the Town defence,firstly picking up Lloyd Kerry’s misplaced pass before shooting wide and then breaking through on the right before laying off to Peter Walker,who fortunately for Town missed the target.
However, it was Town who finished the half in the ascendancy with Avenue’s, Ryan Qualter having to clear a James Walshaw header off the line and the home defence desperately surviving a couple of goalmouth scrambles.
New signing,Nathan Cartman,replaced the injured Adam Nowakowski at the break.
Avenue stormed into the attack from the kick off and Chilaka forced Barnes into conceding a corner.
A good move featuring Dean and Simon Lenighan released Cartman who was promptly fouled by the uncompromising Avenue defence.
Dave McGurk pushed forward for Lewis Turner’s free kick but he headed straight at Lamb.
Unfortunately,on the hour,Town conceded again when Barnes dropped an Avenue free kick and Chilaka stabbed home from close range.
Town began to play their best football of the match as they sought a route back into the game.
Lenighan and Walshaw created a chance for the impressive Swain who drove wide of the upright,but with sixteen minutes left Town pulled one back.
A cross from the left fell to Walshaw who shot past Lamb to open Town’s account for the season.
A delightful turn and lob by Chilaka almost made it three for Bradford,but it was Town who staged a grandstand finish.
Swain shot wide and Avenue placed their bodies on the line to keep out several goal bound shots, but they hung on for victory which temporarily puts them top off the league.
Town
1 Barnes, 2 Turner,3 Meynell, 4 Lenighan, 5 Killock (c), 6 McGurk, 7 Kerry, 8 Nowakowski,( Cartman 45), 9 Swain, 10 Walshaw, 11 Dean ( Nelthorpe 67).
Unused subs. 13 Crook, 14 Bloomer, 15 Metcalfe. Scorer Walshaw 74
Bookings Turner, Meynell,Dean,Nelthorpe Att. 470
