Harrogate Town 3 Chesterfield 1: Mitch Hancox backing new team-mates after winning start

Mitch Hancox made his Harrogate Town debut against Chesterfield. Picture: Matt Kirkham

The former Birmingham City man arrived at the CNG Stadium on Friday having agreed a short-term loan switch from National League rivals Solihull Moors.

And just 24 hours after signing for Simon Weaver's team, he was handed his debut, starting at left-back in a 3-1 home success over Chesterfield.

"I really enjoyed it. It was nice to get the three points and to get back out there and 90 minutes under my belt," Hancox reflected.

"It was a bit disappointing to go a goal down, but to be honest, after what I saw in training yesterday I still believed that we could get something out of the game.

"There's some good players in this squad and credit to the lads, we showed a bit of bottle and got back into it.

"We can do better to try and stop the goal that they scored and we could have scored more, but overall it was a good performance."

Victory was achieved courtesy of strikes from Josh Falkingham, Ryan Fallowfield and Jack Muldoon, Town recovering from falling behind to Mike Fondop's 10th-minute opener to climb one place and up to sixth in the table.

And, while he hasn't been around the group for very long, Hancox has already seen enough to convince him that his new side have what it takes to maintain a genuine challenge for promotion to the Football League.

"I definitely think Harrogate have got enough," the 26-year-old added.

"I think everyone knows the teams who will be in and around the top and you'd say Harrogate anyway.

"Seeing what I've seen the last two days and how we played against Chesterfield, I don't see any reason why [Town] won't be.

"We're on a good run at the minute. If we can keep that momentum going into the busy Christmas period then as long as you keep picking up points and stay in and around it then you've got a hell of a chance."