WORCESTER City would have been happy with a draw before the start but it’s hard not to argue this was two points dropped in their Vanarama National League North curtain-raiser.

Harrogate are among the fancied sides in the division but just did enough to leave Bromsgrove’s Victoria Ground with a share of the spoils on a sweltering afternoon.

City’s young goalkeeper Ethan Ross will be desperately disappointed with his afternoon and his two blunders led to both Harrogate goals.

And Ross’ second spillage, in the first minute of stoppage-time, was bundled into the net at the far post by Harrogate’s experienced substitute Jon-Paul Pittman.

Carl Heeley’s new-look side showed plenty of grit and determination and, with experienced marksman Lee Hughes leading the line, they will always carry a goal threat.

Hughes might be 40 years old but the former Premier League striker delivered a two-goal display and remains a handful for opposition defences.

Clearly, Hughes was replaced with Tuesday night’s trip to Tamworth in mind but, had he played the full 90 minutes, City would probably have opened their campaign with a win.

With City leading 2-1, Ebby Nelson-Addy laid on a one-on-one opportunity for substitute Colby Bishop.

But, with plenty of time to pick his spot, the young striker snatched at his shot and the ball bounced off the body of Harrogate’s goalkeeper Peter Crook.

A third Worcester goal at that stage, with six minutes remaining, would have killed off Harrogate and you would have backed Hughes to bury that chance.

Five Worcester players were making their competitive debuts and, at times, they were stretched by a Harrogate side who tried to get experienced wingers Joe Colbeck and Joe Leesley on the ball.

But skipper Graham Hutchison marshalled City’s back-four well and the hosts’ defensive midfield duo of teenager Joe Fitzpatrick and Junior English showed plenty of energy and commitment.

Left-back Cieron Keane was quick to offer support when Worcester broke forward and, on one occasion in the first half, he was scythed to the floor by Lewis Turner when in full flight.

City started brightly and broke the deadlock in the 12th minute when referee Declan Bourne pointed to the penalty spot after Hughes’ driven cross had struck the arm of Turner.

The decision appeared a bit harsh but Hughes made no mistake, firing the penalty past Crook into the bottom right-hand corner.

The goal stirred City further but Harrogate levelled within nine minutes.

Ross spilled Leesley’s left-wing free-kick and Luke Shiels scrambled the ball into the net despite Hutchison’s best efforts to get a block in.

Worcester were quickly out of the traps at the start of the second half and regained the advantage when Harrogate failed to clear a corner and Hughes stooped low to head home Fitzpatrick’s cross.

Harrogate used all three substitutes to try to get back into the match but City kept their shape and discipline despite being pinned into their own half for long periods.

Substitute Bishop, who replaced Hughes in the 75th minute, could have sealed the points for City nine minutes after being introduced when the hosts broke quickly.

But the striker fluffed his chance and City were made to pay after Ross dropped Leesley’s right-wing free-kick and Pittman salvaged a point for Harrogate in the 91st minute.