Harrogate Town must start making the most of being in winning positions, insists Brendan Kiernan

Simon Weaver’s team scored early against both Eastleigh and Portsmouth before losing those encounters 4-2 and 2-1 respectively.

Then, on Saturday, they were 3-0 up inside 41 minutes at high-flying Bromley, only to end up drawing the game 3-3.

Prior to this mini-winless run, they were unbeaten in 10, coming out on top in seven of those clashes.

That sequence of results lifted them from lower mid-table to within touching distance of the National League summit, however if Town are serious about maintaining their push for promotion then Brendan Kiernan insists that they must start capitalising when they get their noses in front.

“We have to capitalise on these positions that we are getting ourselves into and develop a better understanding of how to see games out,” Harrogate’s flying winger said.

“I think we all know the standards that we’ve set and we need to get back that level. It’s very important that we get the momentum back that we had a few weeks ago.

“We are better when we all work together. Like in those moments in the second half at Bromley, we need to work out a way to fix things and to get the best out of each other when it’s going against us.

“We win and lose together. It’s not the fault of just the defence or just the attack when we don’t get the results we want. It’'s definitely a team thing.

“We know in the changing room that we are a good side and we know that we have to show it more consistently. There is still more to come from us.”

Strikes from Jack Emmett, Kiernan himself and Jack Muldoon’s penalty put Town in charge at Bromley and seemingly on course to make a huge statement against the team who began last weekend top of the table.

They couldn’t get over the line, however, and although Kiernan concedes that they would have settled for a point prior to kick-off, he says that the away dressing room was a disappointed one at full-time.

“Going into the game against top of the league, a point would have been a good result, but after the way we started we definitely should have ended up with more than that,” he added.

“We’re very disappointed that we didn’t carry on our good start. The first half was a completely different performance to the second.

“Bromley came out quick after half-time. A few free-kicks went against us and they scored at bad times for us. From there on it was difficult.”

Kiernan’s strike against the Ravens might not have been enough to help his side to victory, but it did take his tally to seven for the season and moved him top of the club’s goal-scoring charts.

Of course he is enjoying contributing where it counts, more so because his goals have played a big part in fuelling Town’s play-off charge.

“I just like being involved, setting goals up for others or getting on the score-sheet myself,” he said.

“That’s what I’m always looking to do, make things happen in and around the opposition’s box.

“It’s definitely more enjoyable when you’re pushing for something, like we are now, up around the top of the table.

“Goals and assists always feel like they count for more when the team is working towards a goal.”