Blue Monday for Trinity

GAINSBOROUGH Trinity remain winless in four Blue Square Bet North outings, after Monday’s 1-1 draw at home to Harrogate Town.

The visitors came from a goal down with 10 men to steal a point and snatch victory from Steve Housham’s men.

Harrogate Town started brightly with Chib Chilaka having the first chance of the game after Trinity failed to clear their lines – Chilaka found the ball at his feet and fired a tame shot straight at Jan Budtz.

After five minutes Trinity started to dominate and show some spirit, Terry Hawkridge linking well with Josh Wilde down Trinity’s right hand side, passing to on loan striker Brad Barraclough who fired straight at Jose Veiga.

Trinity then won their second penalty in as many games after Alan White was deemed to have handled the ball inside the area.

Hawkridge made no mistake from the spot and sent Trinity into the lead for the first time this season.

Within a minute goalscorer Hawkridge rattled the crossbar with a thunderous strike, cutting in and beating his man, but it was a massive let off for Harrogate.

Harrogate made a double substitution after the break, Lee Elam and Paul Beesley both being brought on to replace Robbie Youhill and Craig Radcliffe as Harrogate searched for an equaliser.

For the visitors, Luke Dean’s shot forced a good save from Budtz who handled a spell of pressure well.

Alan White who had already been booked for Harrogate Town was shown a straight red for a challenge on Barraclough who was clean in on goal, and although Hawkridge fired the free kick wide of the target, the Blues had the advantage.

But although Harrogate were down to 10 men, they were soon on level terms.

Beesley was allowed space to run past the sleeping Gainsborough defenders and fired a shot past a helpless Budtz into the back of the net.

With Trinity searching to regain their lead after a strong first half performance, Matt Godden who replaced Barraclough, saw his long range effort fall just wide of the mark.

Harrogate held on well to spoil Trinity’s party and leave the hosts winless in four.

Gainsborough: Budtz, Roma, Wilde, Waterfall, Young, Leary, D’Laryea, Clarke, Barraclough (Godden 56), Connor, Hawkridge. Subs: Hone, Stamp, Yates, R. Williams.

Harrogate Town: Veiga, Samuels, Merris, Radcliffe (Elam 45), White, Killock, Nowakowski (Bloomer 67), Bolland, Chilaka, Youhill (Beesley 45), Dean.

Attendance: 504.