NCEL: Knaresborough Town’s home-woes continue with Pontefract defeat

Colin Heath had an early header saved by Craig Parry after a fine centre from Byron Littlefair on the left.

Soon afterwards, Fraser Lancaster had a shot deflected wide, but it was the visitors who went ahead in the 21st minute.

A break down the right saw a cross which was met by Craig Rouse, whose looping header beat Paul Hagreen.

Within a further ninety seconds, Pontefract had doubled their lead when Jim Bradley’s errant cross-field pass allowed Dean Wharam to lob over the advanced Hagreen and make it 2-0.

The ‘Boro’ goalkeeper made a late save to deny Rouse a third, but chances were pretty rare in the remainder of the half.

Early in the second period, Littlefair saw his free kick fly just wide of the post before a double substitution suddenly gave Knaresborough a more balanced shape and put the visitors back on the defensive.

Luke McCrum marked his debut with a headed goal from Craig Radcliffe’s right wing corner in the 59th minute and was narrowly wide with a second header soon afterwards.

In between, Mitch Hamilton shot over and the same player headed wide soon after.

Late on, Hamilton was too high from Radcliffe’s cross and Heath’s shot was saved by Parry as Ponte’ managed to hold on