National League North
Harrogate Town 2-1 Stalybridge Celtic
Harrogate Town got what could be a crucial three points in the race for the play-offs, all due to Brendan Daniels scoring a wonder goal in added time.
In the 95th minute, with the draw looking inevitable Daniels hit a free-kick from 25 yards on the angle, which curled and flew into the top corner and won it for Town, in the best way possible for the hosts, in a result which would be deemed fair.
Though the away side were the ones who started quickly and they had the first chance when Chris Simms broke the offside trap, he was one on one with Peter Crook, but Town’s keeper blocked the angle and saved.
From then on for the rest of the half Town took control and were the better side, they then nearly took the lead after a goal mouth scramble saw Andy Gascoigne have an effort which was well blocked.
Another good move by the home side, saw Daniels hit an effort on the volley in the penalty area but it went just wide, it could have taken a deflection and that may have led to it going in, but that was not the case.
Town then looked bound to score when striker Jordan Thewlis produced a good run and eventually found himself one on one with the Stalybridge keeper, but his attempted effort went wide of the right hand post.
It looked like it might end goalless in the half but the home side did break the deadlock, after a Daniels cross was headed into his own net by Dale Wright, this was a deserved moment for the way the hosts had played.
Town would have hoped to push on and did well at the start of the second half, with full back Lewis Turner getting forward and crossing, but his pass was cleared by a relieved Stalybridge defence.
Then just when Town seemed settled with their lead and against the run of play Celtic, were back level, when a long ball eventually went to Simms and from three yards out he was just able to scramble the ball into the net.
The home side kept pushing for a winner, but a mixture of good Celtic defending and the home side not being able to finish, meant it looked like the game would end 1-1.
But it was Daniels who was there to win it for Town, in what could be a season defining moment for the fourth placed side.
Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver:
Harrogate Town: Crook, Colbeck, Turner, Ellis, Kerry (Platt 90), Burrell, Thirwell, Swain, Gascoigne (Emmett 80) Thewlis (Clayton 73) Daniels. Subs unused: Foster, Warren.