Colchester United 2 Harrogate Town 1: Advertiser player ratings

Calvin Miller looks for a route to goal during Harrogate Town's League Two loss at Colchester United. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

Here's an assessment of how Simon Weaver's players performed during their 2-1 loss in Essex.

James Belshaw 6 - Made a very good save at the end of the first half having had little to do up until that point, but will be frustrated that he couldn't keep out Colchester's opening goal at his near post.

Ryan Fallowfield 6 - Showed plenty of attacking intent down the right-hand side. His deliveries were however inconsistent, with one particular later effort frustratingly over-hit.

George Thomson missed a good opportunity to break the deadlock.

Will Smith 6 - A solid display at centre-half, if not as outstanding as his recent performances. Went close to putting Town a goal ahead just after half-time with a looping header.

Connor Hall 7 - Looked confident on the ball and sprayed some long-range passes. Won his fair share of headers, while also threatening the Colchester goal with a well-struck effort from 35 yards.

Warren Burrell 6 - Sound enough defensively and threatened to get on the end of a few things in the home box. Replaced by Dan Jones late on.

George Thomson 6 - Created chances with his set-pieces, including the corner kick which led to Jon Stead's goal. Tested the United keeper a few times, but guilty of missing Town's best chance of the afternoon with an uncharacteristically poor strike at goal.

Josh Falkingham is challenged in midfield.

Josh Falkingham 7 - Not quite as influential as he was during Tuesday's win at Grimsby, but still helped Harrogate control the game for large periods. Drew a couple of fouls in good areas, resulting in attacking opportunities for his team.

Lloyd Kerry 6 - Alongside Falkingham he ensured that Town controlled possession and dictated the play, though he was also guilty at times of lacking that cutting edge in front of goal.

Calvin Miller 6 - Started the game brightly out on the left wing, but he faded as the first half went on before eventuallly being replaced by Kiernan in the 57th minute.

Aaron Martin 7 - Impressive in the 37 minutes he was on the field before a nasty looking collision with the post forced an early exit. It was his early pressure on the Colchester back-line which led to a huge scramble in the home box and nearly resulted in the opening goal.

Jack Muldoon 7 - ADVERTISER STAR MAN. Looked dangerous any time he got anywhere near the ball, albeit more as a creator than direct goal-threat. Was constantly moving into the channels and creating chances for his team-mates.

Substitutes:

Jon Stead (on for Martin 57) 7 - Claimed his first league goal of the season with a powerful header from Thomson's corner and was aerially dominant after replacing Martin before the interval.

Brendan Kiernan (on for Miller 57) 6 - Went as close as anyone in Town colours to equalising, heading Dan Jones' long throw-in onto the post.

Dan Jones (on for Burrell 82) 6 - Almost created an equaliser with a long throw-in into the area, an asset that could turn into a useful weapon for Town.