Harrogate Hockey Club Ladies 1s denied much-needed point by late Morpeth Hockey Club goal
Harrogate Hockey Club Ladies 1s were cruelly denied what would have been a vital point in their fight for survival on Saturday afternoon.
The Yorkshire & North East Premier Division's bottom side looked on course to hold title-chasing Morpeth to a goalless draw at Ainsty Road, only to concede late on.
Emma Bell struck in the 68th minute to break the hosts' spirited resistance, with that effort proving sufficient to decide a closely-contested affair.
And that result leaves Evie Barnard and her team-mates in even deeper trouble, with results elsewhere meaning that they now find themselves six points from safety.
This Saturday, 'Gate are on the road at Durham University 4s (3.30pm).
In Yorkshire Division Two, Harrogate Ladies 2s tasted victory for the first time in five matches when they beat derby rivals City of York 2s by a 2-1 score-line.
Charlotte Mortimer handed the visitors a fifth-minute lead, and although their hosts levelled things up soon afterwards, Elizabeth Webster netted after half an hour to win the game.
Victory moves ninth-placed 'Gate seven points clear of the relegation zone ahead of this Saturday's home clash with Scarborough 1s (1.30pm).
Harrogate Men's 1s chalked up back-to-back triumphs in the Yorkshire & North East Premier Division thanks to their 2-0 success over Leeds Adel 1s.
The sides could not be separated for a long period of the contest, but Toby Blaker eventually broke the deadlock on 52 minutes.
Eddie Crossley, who hit a hat-trick against Lindum 2s last time out, then doubled the home lead in the closing stages.
'Gate, who visit Durham City 1s this Saturday (1.45pm) stay eighth in the table.
A goal scored in the very-first minute of the game proved sufficient to extend Harrogate Men's 2s' superb winning streak into a 10th match.
Captain Josh Lyon was the man to convert that early penalty corner against Aire Valley 1s to leave his side eight points clear at the top of Yorkshire Division Two.
Next up comes a home showdown with Wakefield 3s this Saturday (10.30am).