Evo Stik Division One North
Ossett Town 2-1 Harrogate Railway
Simon Rogers runs into the arms of jubilant Ossett Town manager Grant Black after scoring the winner against Harrogate Railway. Picture: Mark Gledhill
Defender Simon Rogers scored the goal that may secure Evo Stik survival for Ossett Town as his header won the six-pointer against Harrogate Railway for the Ingfielders.
Rogers struck late-on in an end-to-end battle to increase the gap between Ossett and second-bottom Railway to eight points – leaving Railway with a mountain to climb.
They still have to play each other again at Station View, but Ossett are totally in charge of their own destiny as they also have two games-in-hand.
The pressure was firmly on both sides and returning skipper Danny Frost made Ossett’s early dominance pay off as he powered in unchallenged following Hallwood denying Peterson’s free header from six yards out on 20 minutes.
Amar Purewal then fired Railway back onto level terms when a long goal kick picked out the Darlington loanee, who expertly held off his marker and darted towards goal before shooting right footed into the far corner.
Chances followed at both ends before the game headed into a tense final 20 minutes. Ossett knew a draw would be better for them than it would their visitors, and subsequently got men behind the ball and looked to hit Railway on the counter attack.
The strategy almost paid off as Liam Schofield arrowed one just past the far post and M’Burnie’s near post shot was comfortably saved by Hallwood.
Railway then had a big appeal for a penalty turned down in the 73rd minute when Matty Lovegreen’s long throw found its’ way to the back post where it looked to be handled before Dan Thirkell could reach it.
It wasn’t given though, and six minutes later Rogers became the hero. A rare Ossett free kick inside the Harrogate half was not cleared properly and delivered back in towards Rogers who acrobatically looped a header backwards and into the far corner – sparking scenes of jubilation.
Ossett Town: Beaurepaire, Hawksworth, L Schofield, Monfredi, Rogers, Kilner, M’Burnie, Ridley, Peterson, Frost (Farnhill 58), Mackie (Brown 93). Subs not used: Payne, Quinlan, J Schofield.
Harrogate Railway: Hallwood, Mellor (Bromley 81), Hunter, Low, Lovegreen, Thirkell, Peers, Coates (Barrett 85), Purewal, Ovington (Beesley 64), Curtis. Subs unused: Youhill, Clamp.