Wrexham AFC were forced to settle for a point in Yorkshire, as Harrogate Town came back from a two-goal deficit at the Envirovent Stadium.
Andy Cannon opened the scoring with his first-ever competitive goal for Wrexham AFC, having broken the deadlock after 36 minutes.
Just four minutes later, Elliot Lee doubled the advantage, poking home from Paul Mullin’s acute flick-on at the back-post.
The Red Dragons were eventually dragged back level, as a late goal in the 45th minute from Dean Cornelius was followed up by Anthony O’Connor’s early second half goal to force a draw.
Following the injury to Anthony Forde at the weekend, Phil Parkinson needed to make one change to the starting XI that faced Morecambe at the weekend, as Jacob Mendy returned to the line-up.
The visitors started brightly at the Envirovent Stadium, with some bright moments coming from Elliot Lee and Ollie Palmer in the opening stages of the match.
In fact, it was Palmer’s hard work that won an important free-kick on the edge of the Sulphirtes’ box after just seven minutes. Paul Mullin stepped up to take and forced Jonathan Mitchell into a smart stop from distance, but it fell to Andy Cannon from just inside the box.
Cannon set up well, and unleashed a powerful effort on the half volley, but the alert reflexes of Mitchell denied Wrexham yet again with Parkinson’s side on top.
Parkinson’s side continued to dominate proceedings, with George Evans integral to everything good that Wrexham produced, calmly ensuring that Wrexham kept control of the midfield battle.
Aaron Hayden rose highest after 32 minutes to head into the bottom corner, but Mitchell produced another solid save to keep the scores level.
Eventually, the efforts of the Red Dragons were rewarded, as the deadlock was eventually broken in the 36th minute. The combination of Palmer and Mullin grew increasingly into the game and put the hosts’ backline under tangible pressure.
That pressure allowed Cannon sufficient space to fire home at the back post on the edge of the box to record his first-ever competitive Wrexham AFC goal since joining the Club in December 2022.
Just four minutes later, Wrexham doubled their advantage in Yorkshire. Mullin yet again caused problems for Town’s backline, and it was his smart flick that found Elliot Lee at the back post.
Lee, who has made a name for himself of popping up from close-range in the closing minutes, followed the script perfectly as he tapped home from six-yards-out to increase his side’s advantage.
Although Wrexham largely dominated the opening half, Harrogate scored in the 45th minute to slightly dampen the mood as Dean Cornelius scored an important goal for the hosts.
The hosts quickly followed that up after the interval with an early leveller that shocked Parkinson’s side.
Arthur Okonkwo suffered a knock which he nursed throughout the first half, but the young keeper was brought off at half time and replaced by Mark Howard.
Having been second best for most of the opening 45, Anthony O’Connor was in the right place to fire past Howard and dragged his side level just two minutes after the restart.
Wrexham struggled to ascertain the same heights which were reached in the first half, with the Sulphirites finding their rhythm at the Envirovent Stadium.
Mullin had a few half chances, as Parkinson’s side looked for the necessary reaction in their efforts to claim victory.
It wasn’t to be though, as the hosts stepped up their game and managed to hold on to a point in Yorkshire to deny Wrexham a second successive victory.
Harrogate Town: Mitchell, Thompson (C), Cornelius, Odoh, O’Connor, McDonald (Burrell 46’), Muldoon, Ramsay, Dooley, Foulds, March (Sivi 83’).
Subs not used: Thomas (GK), Falkringham, Gibson, Ilesanmi, O’Boyle.
Wrexham AFC: Okonkwo (Howard 46’), Hayden, Tozer (C), O’Connor, Mendy, Cannon (Jones 69’), Evans, Lee (J. Davies 84’), McClean, Mullin, Palmer (Dalby 69’).
Subs not used: Boyle, McAlinden, Bickerstaff.
Match attendance: 3,767.