Harrogate Town 0-0 Vauxhall Motors

Apr 13 2011 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

Harrogate Town 0 - Vauxhall Motors 0

VAUXHALL Motors battled for a deserved point against an in-form Harrogate side as Vauxhall worked tirelessly to record their first clean sheet since January 8.

Vauxhall’s depleted squad had nine first team regulars missing, including captain Josh Wilson, and manager Carl Macauley had no other option but to name himself as one of two available outfield substitutes.

Harrogate took the game to Motors with top goalscorer Graeme Armstrong having his shot turned away for a corner by Scott Tynan as the home side had the upper hand in the early exchanges.

However it was the Motormen who nearly took the lead when a Jake Picton clearance fell kindly to man-of-the-match Craig Mahon who ran at the Harrogate defence but his cross from the right failed to find Obi Anoruo when perhaps Mahon should have gone for goal.

Stand-in captain Dave Mannix headed Kevin Grocott’s cross narrowly wide while at the other end Scott Tynan did well to clear Richard Marshall’s cross come shot to Matt Bloomer.

After the interval, Paul Brown had a 25 yard free-kick cleared over the cross bar by Adam Nowakowski then shortly after, Brian Moogan had to make a last ditch clearance to cut out a dangerous Dom Roma left wing cross.

Motors found themselves down to ten men with ten minutes remaining when a poor Martin Foster challenge on Mannix angered the Motors players and in the ensuing melee, Obi Anoruo was sent off for raising his hands at Ciaran Toner.

The home side pushed for a winning goal but the Motors defence stood firm. In the dying seconds, Scott Tynan pulled off a fine save to deny Wayne Phillips to ensure Vauxhall went home with a deserved point.

l Vauxhall: Tynan, Noone, Moogan, Taylor, Hannigan, Mannix, Mahon, Brown, Anoruo, Grice, Grocott. Subs not used: Wright, Macauley, Ritchie

l Attendance: 250

l Man-of-the-match: Craig Mahon.

Next up for Motors is the visit of Solihull Moors on Saturday (3pm).

Admission prices are £8 adults, £5 concessions, £3 students (ID required) and all under 16s get in free.

PHIL JARVIS