Harrogate Town AFC

Lloyd Kerry's 70th minute finish saw Town come from a goal down and take a point home from their trip to in-form Aldershot.

Mo Bettamer had put his side ahead moments before the break, but Town responded well with Kerry's long ranger getting the better of Mitch Walker in the Aldershot goal.


Simon Weaver made one change from last weekend's clash with Wrexham as Brendan Kiernan replaced Jack Emmett in the starting line-up.

Town made a positive start with Kiernan and Jack Diamond having early efforts on goal, though Aldershot were also looking dangerous with Jean-Yves Koue Niate diverting James Rowe's free kick delivery over the bar.

Mitch Walker was the busier of the two stoppers in the early exchanges and showed quick reflexes to tip lloyd Kerry's drive over the bar.

James Belshaw should have been troubled after 18 minutes as Robbie Tinkler burst forward into a good shooting position, but could only drag past the far post.

Town's biggest chance of the half fell to top scorer Jack Muldoon on the 25 minute mark who couldn't keep down his finish after good work from Kiernan on the right.

With eight minutes of the first half to play, Kiernan was brought to the ground inside the Shots area, though appeals for a penalty were turned down with Referee Paul Howard signalling a corner.

The hosts grabbed the opening goal in the 44th minute after Warren Burrell was dispossed Aldershot worked the ball left to Mo Bettamer who cut inside and found the bottom left corner.

Town should have been back on level terms two minutes after the restart as Muldoon raced through one-on-one, but couldn't beat Walker who read the finish to perfection.

The pressure on the Aldershot goal continued with Will Smith having a header cleared off the line and Kiernan seeing his finish deflect wide.

It would be Kerry who cunjured up the equaliser in the 70th minute, receiving the ball from Muldoon and beating Walker from the edge of the box.

Kiernan went close to turning the tie on it's head with eight to play, but couldn't hit the target after again driving at the Shots backline.

Neither side were happy with a draw and poured forward in the final stages, contricuting to a thoroughly entertaining spectacle in which neither side could find a dramatic late winner.

Town: Belshaw, Falkingham, Burrell, Kiernan, Bradley (Fallowfield 45), Stead, Kerry, Muldoon, Hall, W Smith, Diamond (Thomson 52)

Subs not used: Cracknell, Gallacher, Harratt

Goals: Kerry 70

Booked: Bradley, Kerry

Aldershot: M Walker, Tinkler, Kinsella, Rance, Rowe, Finney (Lyons-Foster 64), Bettamer, Chislett, Berkeley-Agyepong (L Walker 81), Koue Niate, Tanner (Whittingham 73)

Subs not used: Santos, Panyiotou

Goals: Bettamer 44

Booked: Rowe

Referee: P Howard

Attendance: 1,704 (61 away)