Harrogate Railway manager Billy Miller believes the draw at Darlington provided the momentum for a successful season
Billy Miller believes Harrogate Railway have never looked back since the remarkable goal-less draw at Darlington 1883 in September.
Railway will conclude a fantastic season tomorrow when Warrington Town visit Station View.
Harrogate will finish in a comfortable mid-table position in the Evo Stik Division One North and Miller points to the stalemate at then-favourites Darlington as the turning point.
Railway had suffered four consecutive defeats leading up to the game and they had Dan Thirkell suspended, while Rob Youhill and Jesus Farina was unavailable.
Harrogate then lost Paul Beesley in the morning to Harrogate Town and Miller, in reflection, said: “Darlington away was a great day.
“We had our backs against the wall there because we had few lads in on loan from Simon (Weaver) at Harrogate Town and he got a couple of injuries.
“Two or three withdrew in the morning and we went up there with a really scratched side. We went with 13 and had two 16 year-olds on the bench.
“The crowd were going bananas (because Darlington couldn’t score) and we could have won the game. If you speak to Nathan Cartman, he’ll tell you that he should have scored.
“It was a great atmosphere up there and it ranks as probably our highlight of the season.
“It did give us a bit of kick-start. By then we had already got underway and Ash got us off to a great start when I was away with work, but the Darlington point gave us the momentum.
“Last season we finished the season on a really poor note, this year we have been picking up points all the way through right to the wire and we’ll go again against Warrington tomorrow.”
Colin Hunter (left) is set to retire after Harrogate Railway’s home game with Warrington tomorrow
Tomorrow’s game also marks the retirement of veteran midfielder Colin Hunter.
Hunter began his career at Railway before spells at Guiseley, Harrogate Town, Hednesford, among others before returning ‘home’ a few years ago.
Miller has yet to decide how to mark the occasion, but said: “Col has been brilliant for us.
“He’s brought a wealth of experience to the team.
“I was chatting to him on Saturday night as to what we should do, but as said to Col you have to got to be careful.
“You could say put him on penalties and free kicks, but happens if we get a penalty and he misses. He’s then remembered for as a lad who missed a penalty in his last game.
“I think Col will go out and play his normal game. Whether we bring him off early and get the tannoy announcer to announce that it is his final game, I don’t know?”