Aspin upsets his home town club

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

Harrogate Town caused an upset as they beat Blue Square North title hopefuls Gateshead 1-0 and dented the ambitions of manager Neil Aspin's home town club.

Nicky Gray's goal just before half time was enough to secure all three points.

Aspin told BBC Radio York: "I want Gateshead to do well but there's nobody who wanted to beat them more, than me.

"We've not had many highs this season, but to beat Gateshead three times, I don't think there's any other team that will do that this season."

He added: "It's credit to the players because they worked exceptionally hard and I was really pleased with their effort and determination today.

"To beat a team top of the league you need a combination of things to go for you.

"You need players to show a lot of commitment, to defend with their lives, and you need your goalkeeper to play really well and he did that."

Town goalkeeper Jon Hedge was comfortably the man-of-the-match after pulling of several outstanding saves.

"Gateshead brought a lot of supporters, but it's much better if you can have a bit of atmosphere in the ground," Aspin added.

Having decided to leave the club at the end of the season, next Saturday's home game against Droylsden will be Aspin's last in charge at the CNG Stadium.

"Droylsden are looking to get in the play-offs themselves (they beat Hucknall 5-1 on Easter Monday), they're probably one of the best teams we've played this season," he said.

"From my own personal point of view I'd like to put on a good display."

The reason that the club's been able to compete at this level is down to the chairman

Neil Aspin

Aspin could not help casting a jealous eye over the circumstances at Gateshead as compared to his own fate over the last few months.

"They've been able to build with their players and keep adding to the squad," he said.

"It would've been nice to have built a team with some of the players we've had at this club over the last few years.

"I realise the situation at the club and the finances. At the end of the day, the reason that the club's been able to compete at this level is down to the chairman (Bill Fotherby) so you won't hear any criticism from me on that score."