Walsall 0 Harrogate Town 0 - Defiant James Belshaw earns point

A goalkeeping masterclass from James Belshaw earned Harrogate Town a point on the road at Walsall.
Harrogate's James Belshaw.   Picture: Jonathan GawthorpeHarrogate's James Belshaw.   Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Harrogate's James Belshaw. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

The Sulphurites custodian saved a first-half penalty and also produced five excellent stops to help end his side’s three-match losing streak.

Yet, while Belshaw’s heroics and a much-improved second-half showing from his colleagues can be counted as positives, Harrogate’s overall performance will leave manager Simon Weaver concerned.

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The visitors were completely outplayed during the first period.

Belshaw saved from Josh Gordon, then kept out Emmanule Osadebe’s 38th-minute penalty, before thwarting the same player once again.

After the resumption, the Harrogate stopper denied Tyreik Wright one-on-one, Wes McDonald from distance and pushed over Caolan Lavery’s blast.

At the other end, Jack Muldoon sliced Town’s best chance of the match well wide.

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Walsall: Roberts; Kinsella, Clarke, Sadler, Melbourne; Wright (Holden 78), Perry, Bates (McDonald 58), Osadebe; Lavery, Gordon. Unused substitutes: Rose, Norman, Sinclair, Osei-Yaw, Leak, Holden.

Harrogate Town: Belshaw; Fallowfield, Smith, Hall, Jones; Thomson, Falkingham, Burrell (Kerry 46), Muldoon; Martin (McPake 46), Beck. Unused substitutes: Minter, Kiernan, Francis, Williams.

Referee: W Finnie (Bedfordshire).

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