‘Incredible’ late winner has Harrogate boss Simon Weaver hopeful of survival

Simon Weaver said Harrogate’s “incredible” late winner against Colchester can rejuvenate their League Two survival bid.

The Sulphurites snatched a crucial victory in dramatic fashion on Saturday as Jacob Slater struck in the very last seconds of nine minutes of stoppage time.

And although they remain bottom of the table on goal difference, victory leaves the North Yorkshire side just one point from safety with two games left to play.

“Hopefully that moment can prove to be a critical one for us,” a euphoric Weaver said.

“As a small club, we have been smacked in the face week after week this season. We’ve had so many injuries and been right up against it on every level.

“So to see Jacob’s strike go in, it was just an incredible moment when there was so much at stake.

“It certainly rejuvenates the spirit in the camp, because winning a game like that can only lift morale.”

Having been left staring down the barrel of a return to non-league football following last weekend’s dismal defeat to fellow strugglers Newport, Weaver opted to make no fewer than seven changes to his starting line-up for the visit of Colchester.

And the Harrogate chief felt his decision to freshen things up paid off.

“I’m certainly pleased with the impact made by the lads who came back in,” he added.

“There were certain players who were always going to come into the team because they’ve had such influence when they have played, like Tom Hill and Reece Smith.

“But we have looked a bit jaded because of the time of season and because we’re in a relegation battle, and some of the lads are a bit leggy, but sometimes you have just got to stir the pot and try to get a reaction and we did today.”

Colchester boss Danny Cowley, by contrast, saw his side’s extremely slim chances of sneaking into the division’s final play-off spot ended.

“I feel really angry,” he said. “We had 29 shots in the game and total dominance, but we have had this same conversation too many times.

“I just feel like, with this group, they just haven’t got it, and it comes down to mentality. They are a better team than the one we had last year, and we are probably going to finish on less points.

“We always create chances and play good football, and tactically we are a good team. But the technical and tactical aspects are only parts of a football team. There are other parts, and we haven’t quite got the ingredients to be a winning team.”