Tranmere Rovers 3 Harrogate Town 2 - Sulphurites' winless run extended to four games

After taking the lead through Josh McPake, Simon Weaver's side conceded three goals without reply to leave Merseyside empty handed.

The sides were level at the interval but Kaiyne Woolery and James Vaughan both profited from corner kicks early in the second half to secure all three points for the hosts.

After weathering a tricky opening spell on the bobbly Prenton Park surface, Harrogate settled into the contest and deservedly took the lead through Rangers loanee McPake.

They had threatened before going ahead when Aaron Martin directed a header just wide before George Thomson had his shot superbly blocked by Manny Monthé from 12 yards out.

Thomson was the provider for the opener as he found McPake on his left and the 19-year-old showed smart acceleration to get past the last defender and squeeze the ball in at the near post.

It was just what Harrogate deserved which made a contentious penalty decision 10 minutes later all the more frustrating.

Warren Burrell swung a leg to block an effort from Monthé and looked to get a slight touch on the ball but the Tranmere defender hit the deck and the referee pointed to the spot.

Town's disagreement resulted in a yellow card for Connor Hall before Vaughan hammered the penalty low and hard down the middle to equalise.

By the 53rd minute Harrogate were two goals behind as Tranmere scored twice from corner kicks and their task was made all the more difficult when Hall was shown a second yellow card just shy of the 70-minute mark.

However, the character of Weaver's side is something that has distinguished them on their rise to the Football League and within two minutes of being reduced to 10 men, they pulled a goal back.

A fierce, in-swinging free-kick was brilliantly headed into the top corner by substitute Josh March as Harrogate battled for an equaliser.

Town did not play like a side with a man down in the final 18 minutes but, after some desperate defending, the hosts held out to claim a second league win over Harrogate this season.

Tranmere Rovers: Davies; Khan, MacDonald, Clarke, Monthe; Spearing; Lloyd (Ridehalgh 73), Lewis, Feeney (Ferrier 90), Woolery (Morris 72); Vaughan (Ray 90). Unused substitutes: Murphy, O'Connor, Kirby.

Harrogate Town: Belshaw; Burrell, Francis, Lawlor, Hall; Falkingham, Kiernan (Power 60), Thomson, McPake; Muldoon (March 61), Martin. Unused substitutes: Minter, Williams, Hondermarck, Kirby.

Referee: A Haines (Tyne & Wear).

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