Former Harrogate Town defender Mark Hume scored 11 minutes from time to earn Eastwood Town a 1-0 win at Harrogate's CNG Stadium.
Harrogate also had captain Dave McTiernan sent off for two cautions.
"We had a couple of glorious chances in the second half," Harrogate manager Simon Weaver told BBC York.
"They caused us a few aerial problems after that, but other than that I thought their front lads didn't give us any trouble whatsoever."
He added: "We didn't give them time on the ball and we competed well."
I've earned a living in the game from being quite a basic player but the players in my squad have got more natural ability
Simon Weaver
Weaver suggested that McTiernan's dismissal came about because his midfield colleagues left him exposed and forced him to make risky challenges.
"I needed to stress to the players that we can't go gung-ho sometimes in their half.
"We played three in midfield today and, at times, there were two in advance of the ball leaving Dave McTiernan on his own chasing back.
"We got too stretched. We've got to keep a basic structure, a strong base for us to build on and then we can strut our stuff in their half."
Defender Matt Bloomer had the best of Harrogate's chances, but his over-precise effort was saved.
"He is disappointed he didn't tuck it away," Weaver added. "Maybe his nature is to side-foot it in and not go for the glorious smack-in and maybe it needed that and then the keeper wouldn't have seen it."
After two defeats and a win, Harrogate now go to Workington on Tuesday.
"We've got to go to places like Workington and we've got to stand up to the test physically, aerially, and we've got to be mentally strong. Consistency will come with the gelling of the team.
"I've earned a living in the game from being quite a basic player myself, but the players in my squad have got more natural ability."
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