Harrogate boss rues missed chance

Neil Aspin has managed Harrogate Town for four-and-a-half seasons

Harrogate Town boss Neil Aspin felt his side should have taken all three points from Hucknall after the 1-1 draw at Blue Square North's bottom club.

Nicky Gray gave Town an early lead, Cashell Walters equalised for Hucknall, and just before half-time Town's Jamie Smith missed a sitter from five yards.

Aspin told BBC Radio York: "Nobody in the ground could believe he actually missed the chance.

"If we'd had gone in leading at half-time we could have won the game."

Aspin added: "The second half disappointed me, I feel for 30 minutes Hucknall were the better team, and then I felt that in the last 15 minutes we played better with a bit more tempo and had a go.

"We got a draw but we should be doing better."

Town are eighth in the table with four games to go, and the play-offs are virtually out of range, with fifth-placed AFC Telford 11 points above them.

Easter Monday sees Town entertain second-placed Gateshead, who are just a point behind the leaders.

"For long periods this season they've probably been the best team in the league," added Aspin. "They strengthened just before the deadline and brought in a couple more players just to try and give them a push to win the title."

Aspin hinted at few if any team changes for the game.

"We've got a few options on the bench but probably we've more experience with the team that's playing," he added.

"I'm trying to do a juggling act at the moment because I'm trying to be fair to players who are trying to impress clubs for next season, people who'll probably be leaving the club.

"There will be some changes before the season's out (but) I've just got to choose the right game."