Report: Harrogate 2 Hednesford Town 1
Hednesford Town were left ruing a goal two minutes into stoppage time as a hard-earned point was snatched away from them in the cruellest fashion by Harrogate.
The visitors started brightly and Ahmed Obeng had the first half-chance of the game as he fired high into the side netting after just three minutes.
Two minutes later Dave Parton was forced into a simple save after Dominic Knowles found some space in the Hednesford box.
The lively Obeng forced another chance after 14 minutes as he rounded goalkeeper Peter Crook and found Kyle Perry.
But the striker was unable to control his shot as defenders got back to smother him out.
Harrogate Town: Crook, Turner, McWilliams, Thirlwell, Shiels, Ellis, Colbeck (Thewlis 64), Nyoni, Clayton (Swain 79), Knowles, Daniels (Emmett 70).
Subs not used: Kerry, Bloomer.
Hednesford Town: Parton, T Williams, James, Bailey, Tilt, Thornley, Ennis (Modest 79),S Williams,Perry, Obeng, Todd (Digie 79).
Subs not used: Robinson, Adams.
Hednesford felt they should have had a penalty after 23 minutes when Ben Bailey was tripped inside the box, but a corner kick was awarded instead.
In the 28th minute, Parton was forced into another save, this time from Paul Thirlwell before Tom Thorley's curling effort was stopped by Crook in the home goal.
Three minutes before the break, Brandon Daniels' free-kick was blocked by the wall and Parton reacted well to deny Knowles on the follow-up.
It was only a temporary reprieve, though, as Daniels rifled home into the bottom corner of the net from 30 yards second later to give the home side the lead.
Like Tuesday evening, Hednesford picked up the tempo once again in the second period and after a number of corners they finally found a leveller.
Just after the hour mark, Paul Ennis did well in getting to the by-line and his cross was only cleared as far as Andy Todd, who struck a sweet volley into the far corner of the goal.
The game was now very much end to end with both sides searching for the next breakthrough, although Harrogate felt they should have had a penalty after 80 minutes, following a strong tackle by Tom James.
Five minutes from time, a chance was conjured by substitute Nathan Modest after he weaved one way and another before firing the ball across the box with a home defender touching it behind for a corner.
Two minutes later, he was in the thick of the action again, as Sean Williams saw his free-kick palmed out and the striker saw his effort loop into the goalkeeper's hands.
When it looked as if both sides would be taking a point from the game, the Pitmen were dealt a sucker punch in the 92nd minute.
The ball found its way across to Knowles who rounded Parton and fired home into the net.
The Pitmen will be looking to respond tomorrow evening when Corby Town visit Keys Park, 7.45pm kick-off.
