Gate unlocked by pinpoint Johnson

Harrogate ........ 14 Scunthorpe .... 18

FAULTLESS Steve Johnson kicked three penalties from his own half as Scunthorpe edged out Harrogate at Rudding Lane.

The hosts’ dominant scrummaging was a big factor as they outscored Scunthorpe by two tries to nil.

However, they lost crucial line-outs and the visitors defended brutally well to overcome three yellow cards.

Scunthorpe’s first penalty came after three minutes before Johnson again punished them from the half-way line.

Scunthorpe were repeatedly penalised as Harrogate looked to turn the screw from the scrum and Will Robinson was eventually sin-binned.

The pressure continued, with referee Ben Davies eventually awarding a penalty try, which Charlie Morgan converted to take Gate 7-6 ahead.

Harrogate’s forwards continued to dominate, but Johnson was metronomic from the tee to give them a well-earned 12-7 lead at the interval.

Guy Mychajluk was dispatched to the bin after half-timebut it was Johnson who struck first, as his long kick sailed over on 58 minutes.

Tim Heaton clawed a converted try back for Harrogate but Johnson’s final penalty was enough for the win despite a yellow card for Gareth Mist.

TEAMS

HARROGATE: Morgan, Barnard, Nesbitt, Minikin, Edwards, Davies, Matthews, Ward, Maycock, Dennis, Brady J, Brady S, Coser J, Coser G, Heaton

Replacements: Yorke, Reaveley, Enslin, Sanderson, Hebblethwaite

SCUNTHORPE: Cook, Robinson, Wood, Johnson, Chapman, Foster, Middleton, Mychajluk, Mist, Cole, Dyson, Garbutt, Barron, Dibden, Syddall

Replacements: Coultard, Bournes, Hughes, Parker, Newsum REFEREE: Ben Davies ATTENDANCE: 320 Star man Steve Johnson - Scunthorpe