Harrogate Town 0 Stalybridge Celtic 1: A FIRST win at Harrogate in more than 20 years saw the Celts extend their remarkable league away record to nine wins from 13 starts.

Despite their precarious home record the Celts are imperious on their travels, and in truth never looked close to surrendering their grip on the game after Nathan Joynes had given them a 12th minute lead.

The surface at Wetherby Road was more suited to grazing cows than playing any sort of constructive football, and with a chilly wind whipping down the ground, it was a day for knuckling down and scrapping for any bits the game may throw up.

Indeed, it could be argued that the pitch was responsible for the only goal of the game, with Town keeper Jim Provett slipping as he attempted to clear from the onrushing Alex Meechan and slipping again as he desperately tried to get back in an attempt to stop Joynes converting from fully 35 yards out.

It was a sublime finish on a gluepot of a pitch, one that was maybe overshadowed by Provett’s comedic antics.

Chances were at a premium all afternoon, with the hosts restricted to long range efforts that were efficiently dealt with by an in-form Paul Phillips.

For their part, Celtic were unable to muster a single effort on target in the second half but it was a great way to recover from the capitulation against Workington.

Their lead was never really threatened though on an afternoon the football purists will want to put to the back of their mind as quickly as possible.

Attendance: 467

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