Defeat at Nuneaton costs Town chance to go top of the pile

Simon Weaver’s side went into the game just two points behind leaders Salford City, while the Warwickshire outfit kicked-off the match second from bottom of the table.

Yet, it was the relegation-threatened hosts who were in the ascendancy during the first half, causing their visitors all sorts of problems.

Town’s quest for a first victory at Nuneaton since 2007 was dealt a blow after 18 minutes when Ashley Chambers’ clever flick allowed Daniel Nti to find Jordan Nicholson who fired home to give his side the lead.

Weaver’s men eventually began to apply some pressure of their own towards the end of the opening period and got their reward in first-half stoppage-time as Terry Kennedy got forward from defence to finish Joe Leesley’s deep free-kick at the back post.

Despite a better start to the second 45 than the first from Town, Nuneaton edged ahead for the second time as Chambers collected Nicholson’s flick before racing through one-on-one and slotting past James Belshaw.

Jordan Thewlis, Mark Beck and substitute Dom Knowles all had chances to earn their side a point in the closing stages, but the home team managed to hold out, condemning Harrogate to a first loss of 2018.