Harrogate Town struck deep into stoppage time to deny United a point on the road.
Mark Hughes made one switch from Tuesday evening’s draw against Walsall at Brunton Park. Cameron Harper returned to the side in place of attacker Matthew Dennis. Georgie Kelly was also named on the bench - featuring in a matchday squad for the first time since the middle of December.
On 8 minutes, the hosts forged the first chance of the contest. Josh March found Dean Cornelius, whose effort landed off target.
Three minutes later, Aaron Hayden pinged a lovely ball across to Archie Davies who was running in behind down the right, the defender’s cross then went in search of a teammate in the centre but Harrogate cleared.
United’s skipper, Sam Lavelle, had plenty of space to strike at goal from close range soon after following a corner but somehow Belshaw saved and the game remained goalless.
Just past the half-hour mark, the hosts started to force the issue and looked the most likely to find the opener. Seven minutes before the interval Breeze made a low reaction save to deny a Harrogate Town man from point-blank range.
On 43 minutes, the referee waved away penalty appeals as Cedywn Scott was brought down before Ben Fox’s shot at the opposite end was saved in the final chance of a very quiet first-half.
HALF-TIME: Harrogate Town 0-0 United
Five minutes into the second-half, Terell Thomas had a great chance to break the deadlock, but his powerful shot went flying over.
On the hour-mark, Breeze claimed a header with ease as Cornelius looked to glance the ball into the back of the net at the front post.
On 67 minutes, Callum Guy fought beyond his man on the left and delivered a low cross which found Hayden, however, the defender’s shot was saved by James Belshaw.
Harrogate’s shot-stopper would look to start an attack minutes later, sending a long ball over the top to March - his intended cross hit the side netting.
As we entered the final quarter-of-an-hour, Ellis Taylor blasted over from distance.
Bryn Morris’ hit from outside the box meant Breeze was at full stretch to turn wide as the game entered the closing stages.
Substitute Stephen Wearne’s late shot was saved well by Belshaw deep into stoppage time before the hosts went up the opposite end and stole all three points as Taylor’s shot found the bottom corner via Josh Vela’s touch..
FULL-TIME: Harrogate Town 1-0 United
Teams:
Harrogate Town - Belshaw, Moon, Burrell ©, Cornelius, Sims, O’Connor, Sutton (32’ Dooley), Taylor, March, Fox (74’ Bilongo), Morris
Unused subs - Oxley, Daly, Cursons, Solomon, Gibson
United - Breeze, Davies, Harper (90’ Jones), Thomas, Lavelle ©, Hayden, Guy, Scott (83’ Kelly), Harris (90’ Wearne), Whelan (66’ Hugill), Embleton (66’ Vela)
Unused subs - Lewis, Patching
Goals:
Harrogate Town - (90+5’ Vela (OG))
United - N/A
Yellow cards:
Harrogate Town - (26’ Taylor), (56’ Morris)
United - (30’ Davies), (55’ Whelan), (67’ Vela)
Red cards:
Harrogate Town - N/A
United - N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Sebastian Stockbridge
Assistant Referee - Emmanuel Edet
Assistant Referee - Wayne Grunnill
Fourth Official - Jake Topp
Attendance:
4,136 (1,050 away)
