Adam Baker fires Harrogate Railway ahead in their 3-1 win at Spennymoor. Picture: Caught Light Photography
Harrogate Railway’s incredible season continued with a deserved 3-1 win at Evo Stik Division One North play-offs hopefuls Spennymoor Town.
Repeating their efforts in the 4-0 thrashing of Burscough, Adam Baker got two and former Leeds United defender Matt Heath scored from a corner.
A late Jordan Armstrong own goal gave Spennymoor hope, but Railway held on to keep themselves on track to break their own league records.
Rail are also back in the top ten with four games to play.
It was a frustrating afternoon for Jason Ainsley’s Spennymoor, who were the far better side for the opening 20 minutes.
Railway survived a huge storm as inside just three minutes, Spennymoor had missed two great chances.
Paul Johnson rattled the post from close range and then Gavin Cogdon blazed over in a good position.
Former Leeds United defender Matt Heath adds the second goal. Picture: Caught Light Photography
Adam Baker adds the third. Picture: Caught Light Photography
Spennymoor were probably surprised when they fell behind on the half-hour mark.
The home side backed off in-form winger Baker and allowed him to strike a deflected low strike into the bottom corner from 30-yards.
Railway quickly capitalised on their lead. Armstrong’s corner was knocked down and dropped to Heath on the edge of the penalty area. Just like he did at the weekend, Heath rolled the ball into the net.
The visitors knew they would have to ride out a big push from Spennymoor in the early stages of the second half.
They handled it well as goalkeeper Tom Goodwin was relatively untested. Goodwin only had to deal with shots straight at his chest.
Railway just had to make sure they got the third goal which they did. Penned in their own half, Spennymoor’s Johnson almost scored an own goal after hitting the post.
The ball went out for a corner and again it fell to the edge of the area where Baker was waiting to strike a brilliant volley home.
There was a bit of late drama as a cross hit Armstrong and eluded Goodwin, but a Spennymoor comeback would have been unfair on Harrogate.
Railway need seven more points to overtake their highest total at Evo Stik level.
Harrogate Railway manager Billy Miller:
“We always knew it was going to be difficult coming here.
“It is the first time we have been to Spennymoor and the first thing to highlight is what a great set-up they have.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy task and knew that after getting beat by Salford that they would be up for it.
“We have got an unbelievable group of player and although this is one of the best performances o 2015, it just adds to a string of top ten teams that we have turned over.
“We knew we would be under cosh for the first 15 minutes, but I said to Lee Ashforth that the moment we settle, we’ll be in the game.
“And if we get our noses in front, we’ll be ok.”
Spennymoor Town: McHugh, Griffiths, Johnson, Dodds, Tait, Capper, Stephenson (Fisher 67), Henry, Ward (Henderson 17), Cogdon, McReady (Roberts 58). Subs unused: Mason, Briggs.
Harrogate Railway: Goodwin, Armstrong, Hunter, Heath, Coates, Thirkell, Youhill (Kidd 89), Mycoe (captain), Farquharson, Dhesi (Martin-Farina 86), Baker. Subs unused: Ashforth, Ibrahimi, Morris.
Referee: Simon Clayton
Ref Rating: 7/10
Attendance: 478
Man of the match: Jordan Armstrong (Harrogate Railway)