Harrogate Town 1 Carlisle United 0 - Josh March on the spot to claim victory

The on-loan forward showed a cool head in front of goal to register his fourth strike in yellow and black since his January switch from Forest Green Rovers.

And, ultimately, the Sulphurites deserved all three points, playing the better football – albeit in patches – and defending their goal superbly.

The contest began at a ferocious pace, though it was the hosts who would eventually settle the quicker, Josh McPake sending a vicious early strike narrowly wide.

With 28 minutes on the clock, March’s pace took him into the penalty area and past United skipper Nick Anderton, who dived in rashly. March himself did the honours from 12 yards, slotting the ball low to Paul Farman’s left as the visiting gloveman dived in the opposite direction.

Simon Power could have made it 2-0 before half-time, but was denied one-on-one by Farman, however his failure to score was not to prove costly as, despite coming under some serious pressure as Carlisle launched a relentless barrage of high balls during the second 45, the home defence held firm.

Harrogate Town: Belshaw; Burrell, Smith, Hall, Francis (Lawlor 76); Power, Thomson, Falkingham, McPake; Martin, March (Beck 73). Unused substitutes: Minter, Lawlor, Kiernan, Kerry, Muldoon.

Carlisle United: Farman; Tanner, Hayden, Bennett, Anderton (Patrick 75); Riley (Mellish 75), Guy, Dickenson; Kayode, Alessandra (Zanzala 57), Walker (Toure 64). Unused substitutes: Norman, McDonald, Armer.

Referee: S Stockbridge (Tyne & Wear).

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