Simon Weaver calls for Harrogate Town mettle as they look to bounce back from Football League relegation
Simon Weaver called on his Harrogate Town players to show their character as he hinted at changes to come behind the scenes as the Sulphurites adjust to life back in non-league football.
"To get to the EFL was something we never dreamt of but the ambition doesn't just stop because you get hit between the eyes for a season," said manager Simon Weaver, who took over a club in the Conference 17 years ago.
"We've played some absolutely brilliant stuff in the last 20 games and it's how we react – how the club and the community does.
"Life's never in a straight line.
"We've got to show our steel throughout and that's been part of the journey too.
"It's an important opportunity for everybody on our side to react well. It's an opportunity to show our mettle as grown-ups."
Considering his team went 20 league games without a win between October and February, it was remarkable they took the fight to the last day, and Weaver took great pride from that.
"They gave it everything today," he said.
"Really it was the first 30 games that gave us such a mountain to climb.
"I thank the players for their efforts. They've given it everything, particularly the last 15 games. If the league table showed that, we'd be mid-table.
"They've been courageous, they've run through brick walls for the badge.
"It wasn't really about today it was about those first 30 games where we fell short and there's reasons for that."
Barnet took the lead after a defensive error from Cathal Heffernan allowed Callum Stead to score, but responded with a Bryn Morris penalty.
"I thought the reaction to going a goal down early was superb against a team that have banged in 16 goals before today," said Weaver.
"It was not a good start for us.
"I thought the support was brilliant throughout.
"They helped us react very quickly. We did just that, we scored the penalty under pressure and got right back in it.
"We were keen to start the second half on the front foot and we did. We hit the bar *through Shawn McCoulsky) and had a couple of opportunities.
"One of them's got to drop in."
The North Yorkshire club are owned by Weaver's father Irving, but there are suggestions there could be new investment for life in the Conference, where the financial climate is arguably even tougher, with none of the restrictions on spending in the Football League.