'We missed having strikers on the pitch', laments Simon Weaver after Harrogate Town's loss to Tranmere Rovers

Harrogate Town striker Aaron Martin looks to run away from Tranmere centre-half Peter Clarke. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

Not for the first time this season, the Sulphurties' boss was left disappointed by what he saw in the final third as his team slumped to a third defeat in four League Two matches.

Weaver has been critical of his players' inability to finish off some clear-cut openings in recent outings against Colchester United and Newport County, but on this occasion he was more annoyed by the lack of threat his forwards carried on the night.

Town forced 11 corners and unleashed nine shots at goal, though just one of those hit the target.

Tom Walker spurned a glorious late chance to equalise.

“We missed Josh Falkingham’s fire, we missed Ryan Fallowfield’s energy and we missed having strikers on the pitch," Weaver told the Harrogate Advertiser.

"There was just nothing to hit and we created no spark up there tonight - or out wide. There was no hold-up play, second half. There were no first balls won, we were giving it away needlessly and it just didn't give us a chance - but to be fair to them [the strikers], there was nothing in midfield in the second half either.

"First half, we put some good balls into their box, but we just didn’t look a threat. I said after the game to the forward players that they've got to understand that this performance was nowhere near the mark.

"The strikers aren’t scoring the goals in the last few games and we need to do more. We need to do more in front of goal, we need to at least look dangerous.

"It’s becoming a recurring theme that we are coming in having dominated a game but not having any advantage. It’s a concern because it’s been going on for some time."

As bad as Town were going forwards, they still had one glorious chance to equalise deep in stoppage-time when Rovers goalkeeper Scott Davies flapped at Dan Jones’ left-wing cross.

The ball dropped kindly for substitute Tom Walker at the far post, though just as was the case in recent clashes with Colchester, Stevenage and Newport, the opportunity was passed up and Weaver was again left wondering what might have been.

“Tom probably should have put his chance away with his left foot from six yards out," he added.

"He's just come on hasn't he and it's dropped at his feet very quickly and it's not happened.

"I'd have loved it to have gone in."