Exeter City 1 Harrogate Town 2: Win 'can be a massive turning point', says Connor Kirby

Connor Kirby in action during Harrogate Town's midweek victory at Exeter City. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

The Sulphurites travelled to Devon having lost three in a row and eight of their previous 10 League Two fixtures, but shocked their high-flying hosts on Tuesday evening, recording a 2-1 victory courtesy of strikes from Brendan Kiernan and Jack Muldoon.

Victory leaves Town 17th in the table, though they now sit just six points off a play-off position. Thus, Kirby feels that he and his team-mates should be looking upwards, rather than over their shoulders at the drop zone.

“Obviously losing three games in a row is not great for confidence but it’s about how you bounce back. We came here to win and we have done. The lads are buzzing,” the former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder said.

Jack Muldoon netted his ninth goal of the season to settle Tuesday's contest.

“After three straight defeats, it’s excellent to come to a place like Exeter and win.

“Exeter are a great club, they’re in the play-offs every year, so to come here and get three points is fantastic. It’s an absolutely massive result.

“This can be a massive turning point. Coming up to Christmas, we just need to try and get as many points as we can and see where we are. We’re only six points off the play-offs, it’s only two wins. We can kick on from here.”

Town were grateful to goalkeeper James Belshaw for keeping the game goalless when he denied Exeter’s Joel Randall one-on-one during the opening exchanges, but would then go on to seize a 31st-minute lead.

Belshaw’s long kick forward bounced once before being flicked on by Aaron Martin. His header found Kiernan in a central position on the edge of the home box, where he rolled his marker and finished confidently past Jonny Maxted.

Belshaw produced another excellent reaction stop before half-time to keep out Matt Jay’s header, though the Grecians would eventually pull level just 15 seconds into the second period.

Indecision between Ryan Fallowfield and Jake Lawlor almost straight from kick-off allowed Jay to nip in between them and head into the path of Jake Taylor, who beat an exposed Belshaw with ease.

Town then survived vociferous appeals for a penalty when the ball struck Connor Hall on the arm after Belshaw had pushed away Jack Sparkes’ long-range free-kick.

And Simon Weaver’s team would go on to make the most of that bit of good fortune by re-taking the lead on 75 minutes.

Another Martin flick-on found Muldoon inside the box and Harrogate’s leading marksman controlled the ball exquisitely before cutting inside off the left and curling a delightful effort across Maxted and into the top corner.