Harrogate Town 0 Southend United 1: Advertiser player ratings

Harrogate Town centre-half Connor Hall clashes with Southend United's Jason Demetriou. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

James Belshaw 7 - ADVERTISER STAR MAN. Made a good save in the first period to keep out Ashley Nathaniel-George and an even better one to deny Simeon Akinola one-on-one.

Warren Burrell 5 - One second-half error gifted Akinola a clear run on Belshaw's goal and the Shrimpers' winner came from a ball delivered from his side of the pitch.

Will Smith 5 - As uncertain a display as he has produced in a long time. Not his usual dominant self in the air and wasn't decisive enough in his work during the second 45.

George Thomson competes for possession in midfield.

Connor Hall 6 - Solid enough. Didn't do too much wrong without delivering the kind of authoritative performance that we have seen so often this season.

Dan Jones 6 - Careless with his balls forward on occasion. Otherwise, this was a steady display. Long throw-ins were a bit of a mixed bag.

Simon Power 6 - Provided one decent cross and showed a couple of glimpses of his ability with the ball at his feet. His searing pace enabled him to run in behind the Southend back-line on 37 minutes, but he pulled a hamstring in the process and had to be replaced.

George Thomson 6 - Was as tidy as anyone in a yellow shirt when in possession. Looked Harrogate's most composed player, though in his deeper role he is less of a goal-threat.

Josh Falkingham 6 - Headed a difficult headed chance over the cross-bar in the first half. Strained every sinew to try and make something happen and get his side playing, but it just didn't quite happen.

Josh McPake 6 - A really positive first-half showing, almost scoring twice having engineered both opportunities all on his own. Couldn't replicate that level of performance after the interval, however. Lost the ball in the build-up to the visitors' goal.

Jack Muldoon 6 - Looked like he could make a difference on the few occasions when Town passed the ball accurately in the final third. Did well to set up a chance which Brendan Kiernan fired against the woodwork, but missed his team's best opportunity to equalise late on.

Aaron Martin 5 - Competed well enough in the air before half-time and won plenty of flick-ons, though he struggled to really impact proceedings.

Substitutes:

Brendan Kiernan 6 - Hit the bar and delivered a decent cross for fellow substitute Mark Beck. Had a bit of intensity about his play and looked determined to try and make something happen.

Mark Beck 6.

Ed Francis N/A.