Harrogate Town produce 'pleasing display' as they hold League One Doncaster Rovers to a draw

An impressive first-half showing had the National League Sulphurites on course for a fourth consecutive pre-season victory, as strikes from Warren Burrell and Will McGowan put them two goals up.

And although Rovers – who were not at full strength but still lined up with a more-than-useful starting XI – fought back to level matters after the interval, Town’s manager was still more than satisfied by his players’ efforts at Wetherby Road.

“On a pitch like ours, League One teams can come and enjoy themselves, but we found a way of stopping them for the first half of the game,” Weaver said.

“Second half, they were probably more in the ascendancy - and credit to them - but overall it was still a pleasing display.

“I really enjoyed that first half. I thought that we were in the driving seat. We were really bright in our play, there was some really good passing on show and our pressing was excellent. We had them on the back foot.

“The lads have worked hard every day in training both on the fitness side, and on the shape, and on how to get better both in and out of possession.

“We made a confident start to the game and I think the signs were good once again, even though it was a step up once again.”

Town made a bright start to proceedings and hit the woodwork when A Trialist’s shot came back off a post.

Lewis Payne was then unable to find sufficient power to finish off another promising opening, though the hosts did break the deadlock on 33 minutes.

Morgan Williams swung over a corner kick from the left and Burrell got the final touch after Cathal Heffernan rose at the back post and nodded the ball goalwards.

Things then got even better for Harrogate shortly before half-time as McGowan overlapped down the right, took Payne’s pass in his stride and delivered a dangerous cross which bounced into the net off the far upright.

Doncaster upped their game in the second period and Mark Oxley was forced into a diving stop by Sean Grehan just after the resumption.

And Rovers reduced the deficit just before the hour-mark when Bayley McCann lashed home a stinging effort from Hakeeb Adelakun’s clever pass.

The visitors then equalised through captain Owen Bailey, who prodded home in the 69th minute to make it for 2-2 following a corner.

Substitute Shawn McCoulsky had a great opportunity to put Town back in front late on, however after running clean through on goal, he chipped his finish wide of the target.

Assessing the two second-half goals that his side conceded, Weaver said: “They came from two set-plays, so that is something that we have got to deal with.

"Three of the four goals scored during what was a good football game were from set-pieces, so that just shows and illustrates their importance.

"At our end of the pitch, we have to be defending properly. Our players have to make sure that their man doesn’t score, that we don’t succumb to a block.

"It is imperative that we improve on that front.”

Saturday’s friendly saw new recruit Archie Baptiste make his debut for Town after his arrival for an undisclosed fee from Championship Middlesbrough.

Rohan Vaughan, who signed for the Sulphurites in midweek following a successful trial period also featured, as a second-half substitute.

Next up for Weaver and his men is their final pre-season outing, at home to National League North outfit Scarborough Athletic on August 1 (3pm).