Jack Muldoon and fellow Harrogate Town substitutes praised for impact in Barrow AFC win

Jack Muldoon celebrates his late winner at Barrow. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

The 31-year-old, who is the club's leading marksman, was rested last month and hasn't been able to force his way back into the Sulphurites' starting XI such has been the form of January loan signing Josh March.

But Muldoon hasn't sulked about his lack of game-time and followed in the footsteps of team-mates Lloyd Kerry and Mark Beck by ensuring that he was ready to make a telling contribution as a substitute when his manager needed him.

"Jack Muldoon epitomises what you want to see off the pitch, he’s an absolute professional and he won’t ever sulk," Weaver said, speaking after Tuesday's 1-0 success in Cumbria.

Jack Muldoon slots home the decisive goal at Holker Street.

“Of course he wants to play every minute, but he understands the bigger picture, which is the club picking up wins. If it’s someone else who scores he celebrates with them, even if he’s not playing.

“I’m delighted that his professionalism has paid off because he was the right man at that moment and had a long time to get it wrong, but got it right.

"He still had it all to do with the finish. I'm delighted for him."

Twelve-goal Muldoon's decisive contribution from the bench came just three days after Beck arrived as a substitute to net a late winner against Grimsby.

His impact followed on from Lloyd Kerry's stand-out performance as a replacement against Mansfield last week, and the key role which the squad members who are coming on in the latter stages of matches are playing has not gone unnoticed

"We've got good strikers on the bench and they keep making an impact, which speaks volumes about their preparation and hunger to go on," added Weaver, who introduced Muldoon, Aaron Martin and Josh Falkingham in the 64th minute.

"None of them are sulking because it's their turn to take a rest. It's a really good impact from the subs.

“It was good that two of our core players, who have been instrumental in the rise of this club in Jack Muldoon and Josh Falkingham, whilst they’ve been rested, get that buzz back again having played such a key role in a key moment in the game. They’ve won us the game.

"It was fantastic. The captain came on, he's had a bit of a breather, but it was a telling pass to set Jack Muldoon free. I'm delighted."

Tuesday's victory was Harrogate's sixth in eight matches and lifts them up to 11th place in the League Two standings.