Ebby Nelson-Addy’s superb first half strike was enough to give City their third win of the season, and their first win at Aggborough since September 21st.

City frustrated the visitors, who had claimed a massive twenty-one out of an available twenty-four points in the league prior to the game, and claimed a vital win against a team fourteen places above them in the skrill North table, and their thirteenth clean sheet in all competitions in the process.

After a tentative start from both teams, Jose Veiga was called into action after just five minutes against his former side. Cleveland Taylor’s corner was prodded low to the right of Veiga by Steven Mallory, but the Portuguese stopper reacted well to palm the ball clear.

But City, with their first shot on target, took the lead in the twelfth minute as the ball broke to Ebby Nelson-Addy on the edge of the area, and the midfielder rocketed a shot from the edge of the area that arrowed into the top corner of the net.

Neither side could really grab a foothold in a half of few clear opportunities. The persistent Ethan Moore did well to recover the ball on the left hand side, with his low cross being deflected off the boot of Shane Killock into the path of Glover, who unleashed a fierce half-volley from inside the area that was saved by MacGillivary low to his left midway through the half.

Town were presented with the first chance after the restart as Matt Regan conceded a free kick on right on the edge of the City area. Chris Hall struck it powerfully but Veiga was equal to it, diving to beat the ball away.

Harrogate, who had come into the game on the back of three straight wins, including victories against Skrill North high-flyers Hednesford and Altrincham, struggled to break down a stubborn City side who had kept twelve clean sheets this season in all competitions prior to the game.

City were soaking up the pressure and producing some dogged defending, but threatened to double the lead themselves midway through the half, as Matt Bloomer’s unkind pass back to the Town goalkeeper was lashed clear straight to the feet of substitute Tyler Weir, who fired wide for City.

Despite their dominance, it wasn’t until the seventy-fifth minute until Town carved out their first real chance of the half from open play as Mallory’s cross found the imposing figure of substitute Anton Brown in the area, who headed straight at Veiga.

The City goalkeeper pulled of a remarkable save with just two minutes left of normal time to keep City’s slim lead intact. The ball fell to Anton Brown on the left hand side of the area, with the midfielder unleashing a fizzing half-volley towards the top corner, requiring Veiga to get a strong wrist in the way to emphatically turn the ball behind.

And City clung on to record a massive victory in their fight against relegation, and one that Carl Heeley believes can be a catalyst for future league success.

“We certainly had to work hard for it, and that’s probably the best side we’ve played this season, I was really impressed with Harrogate and they’ve been on a terrific run. So to win the game and keep a clean sheet against them, I thought we defended well particularly in the second period”, said the City boss.

“Any win can be a catalyst because it gives you belief and gives you a confidence boost. It’s three points, but there’s a long way to go. Any win’s a good win and we’re delighted to win the game”, he added.

City will now face the short trip to Solihull Moors on Boxing Day in what promises to be another tricky fixture.