Yorkshire | Harrogate denied by stoppage time penalty

Notts County 1 - 1 Harrogate Town

Tom Cursons’ first-half strike looked set to deliver a huge victory for Harrogate Town until a stoppage-time penalty denied them all three points at Notts County.

Author | Jay Dean

Stadium | Meadow Lane

The away side began brightly, standing up to early pressure and limiting the hosts to half-chances. Notts carved out the game’s first clear opening when James Belshaw reacted sharply in a crowded box before a deflection off Alassana Jatta sent the ball behind for a goal kick.

Harrogate threatened in response. Ellis Taylor tested Kelle Roos after 14 minutes with a cross that turned into a shot, a moment that briefly shifted the rhythm in Town’s favour. Notts pushed back with a series of openings that came to little, and Belshaw was largely untroubled until the 33rd minute when Tyrese Hall forced a superb save from the Harrogate keeper.

Town’s resilience was rewarded six minutes before the break. 

A well-worked move opened up space for Cursons, who finished calmly past Roos to give the visitors the lead. The goal prompted a confident spell from Harrogate, while a rattled Notts side struggled to muster a response before half time.

Notts returned from the interval with renewed intent. Town were forced deeper as the hosts dominated the early stages, yet Harrogate continued to stand strong. Belshaw again came to their rescue on 57 minutes, denying Jatta’s cleanly struck half volley with another fine save.

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The hosts built momentum but were repeatedly met by disciplined defending, with Warren Burrell and Zico Asare particularly assured. Jatta went close again with nine minutes remaining, heading narrowly wide from a promising position.

Harrogate’s determination carried them into stoppage time, but the decisive moment fell to Notts. Will Jarvis went down under pressure in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Matthew Dennis converted to level the score and break Town hearts.

Even then Harrogate refused to fold, digging in once more to protect the point. After a performance full of resolve and organisation, they left Meadow Lane with a draw that felt hard earned in the face of relentless late pressure.