Harrogate earn a point after Burrell sees red in stalemate
HARROGATE TOWN survived the second-half dismissal of Warren Burrell to hold promotion-chasing Exeter City to a goalless draw at Wetherby Road.
The contest was in the balance when the Sulphurites’ left-back was sent off on 72 minutes, though Simon Weaver’s team dug deep during the closing stages to ensure that they finished up with a share of the spoils.
George Thomson stung the palms of visiting custodian Jonny Maxted with a 10th-minute strike, before Exeter began to find their rhythm and ask a few questions of the home defence.
Ryan Bowman glanced a header wide from Jake Caprice’s right-wing centre, while at the other end, Burrell forced Maxted into a save at his near post.
A mistake by Town’s Jay Williams then gifted Bowman a clear sight of goal, but the Grecians striker fired wide.
Three minutes before the break, the hosts’ best chance of the half came and went after a swift counter-attack ended with Jack Muldoon scuffing his finish from Josh Falkingham’s cross.
Town almost broke the deadlock on 62 minutes as Martin’s strike drew a superb save out of a stretching Maxted.
Then came the red card. Burrell senselessly dived into a challenge on the edge of his own box shortly after receiving his first caution.
Yet, despite dominating the ball for the remainder of the contest, a determined rearguard action rescued a point. Harrogate: Belshaw; Williams (Fallowfield 76), Lawlor, Hall, Burrell; Thomson, Falkingham, Francis, Kiernan (Kirby 79); Muldoon (March 83), Martin. Unused substitutes: Hondermarck, Minter, McPake.
Exeter City: Maxted; Caprice, Sweeney, Parkes, Page (Hartridge 82); Atangana (Law 82); Key (Sparkes 63), Jay, Collins, Randall (Seymour 86); Bowman. Unused substitutes: Ward, McArdle, Kite.
Referee: T Brammall (Sheffield).