Harrogate Town 0 Salford City 1: Advertiser player ratings
Here's an assessment of how Simon Weaver's players fared at the EnviroVent Stadium.
James Belshaw 6 - Made two excellent second-half saves to keep his side in the game, but crucially it was his hesitance in coming off his line to claim a ball that bounced inside his box that ultimately decided the contest.
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Hide AdRyan Fallowfield 6 - Passion and desire to win was as evident in his display as it was in any other Town player's. Got forward down the right as much as he could.
Jake Lawlor 6 - As has been the case almost every time he has played, the big centre-half got through plenty of good work over the course of the 90 minutes without looking totally convincing. Glanced a good headed chance narrowly wide of the mark deep into stoppage-time.
Connor Hall 7 - ADVERTISER STAR MAN. Has developed into such a consistent performer, who reads the game well and does what needs to be done in and around his own box. Of all the soft goals that Town have conceded of late, none can be blamed on him.
Warren Burrell 6 - Caused a few problems by Salford's powerful winger Brandon Thomas-Asante, but defended okay on the whole. Unable to offer too much width going forwards in the left-back position, but as a right-footer, that's always going to be difficult.
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Hide AdGeorge Thomson 6 - A steady performance which included some useful set-piece deliveries, however he doesn't really seem able to effect the game in the same way in his new, slightly deeper role on the right of a midfield three.
Ed Francis 7 - A promising full debut. Made one extremely well-timed and one thunderous challenge in midfield and was tidy in his work throughout. Looks a decent addition on the basis of this one afternoon's work.
Connor Kirby 6 - Began the contest with the kind of intensity and energy that has stood out during his previous couple of appearances. Faded in the second 45 and was guilty of a couple of very loose passes during the closing stages.
Brendan Kiernan 6 - Failed to build on his fine showing and goal at Exeter in midweek. A willing runner with the ball - which is what Town need - but couldn't create the required spark and put one good chance over the cross-bar from close range.
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Hide AdAaron Martin 6 - Started superbly, holding the ball up well and linking the play intelligently. Competed aggressively against the visiting central defenders and won plenty in the air. Second-half performance was a rather scrappy and, for all his hard work and endeavour on behalf of his team-mates, he once again never really looked much of a goal-threat.
Jack Muldoon 6 - Had three decent sights of goal, but his attempted finishes were poor on each occasion. Unfortunately for him, his team is so reliant on his goals at present, that he needs to be more clinical when such opportunities present themselves.
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