HARRIERS took a point from the battle of the two promotion contenders as they drew 2-2 with Harrogate Town.

Top scorer Joe Ironside took his tally for the season to 14, including six goals in his last five games, as he netted twice in the second half to secure a deserved share of the spoils for John Eustace’s men.

It was no less than they deserved but a point was probably a fair result against a direct Harrogate side who twice were in front, including a goal of their own in injury time.

Harriers were forced into one change going into this game as the experienced James Pearson was withdrawn as he continued to look after a hamstring issue. Tyrone Williams was a ready made replacement form the bench as he filled the void, with Andre Brown returning to the 16.

The visitors started the game quickly and forced a shot as early as the opening minute as Croasdale struck, Elton Ngwatala also going close as the match settled – Harrogate registering their first interest in Brandon Hall’s goal through a shot from Ainge that needed both a save from Hall and, as the ball trickled beyond him, an intervention on the line from Horsfall as he cleared.

Croasdale shot wide on 17 minutes and McQuilkin drew a good save from Belshaw 18 minutes later, the visitors indebted to the woodwork as the half wore on as an effort from Thewlis almost sneaked.

The home side ripped up the team talks in injury time as Kennedy headed in from close range, Harriers quick to try and respond just after the restart as Austin twice went close.

Influential midfielder Declan Weeks almost struck an audacious goal three after the hour as an attempted lob of Belshaw hit the bar, before Ironside’s first saw him connect with a driven Sonupe cross for 1-1.

The striker almost added an immediate second at one end before Town’s Mulhern almost caught Hall off-guard in chasing down a clearance, Horsfall and Ainge connecting with headers at either end as the teams searched for a winner.

The home fans thought it had arrived in the 90th minute when skipper Ainge again rose highest to nod in a free-kick with Hall beaten, but Ironside ensured the Worcestershire men had the last laugh, picking up a loose ball inside the area and accurately placing it beyond Belshaw and into the net.

HARRIERS: Hall, Williams (Taylor 50), Austin, O’Connor, Horsfall, Croasdale, McQuilkin, Ngwatala (Klukowski 77), Ironside, Weeks (Sonupe 64), Brown,.

Subs not used: Truslove, Wright Attendance: 854 Referee: Barry Lamb