HARROGATE Town started life in Nationwide North with a 2-1 victory over Barrow at Wetherby Road.

Two-goal Colin Hunter was the hero with both Town goals in the first half.

An 18th-minute defensive blunder let him in for the opener and a minute before the interval he latched on to a pass from former York City midfielder Christian Fox to double the advantage.

Barrow stepped up the pressure in the second half and pulled a goal back with a header from Michael Rankine on 66 minutes but Town hung on for victory in front of 711 fans.

Updated: 09:33 Monday, August 16, 2004