THERE was no happy ending for Harrogate Town boss John Reed as his side's run in the FA Trophy was brought to an end by Doncaster Rovers 2-0.

Reed, who seemed to know everyone of the 1,886 strong crowd personally, was desperate to put one over his home town side, but it was not to be.

As spirited and hard-working as his side's display was, Town just could not find the cutting edge against the Conference side.

And while the plucky UniBond League division one leaders missed their rare sights of goal, Rovers were not as gracious - with former York City and Scarborough striker Neil Campbell scoring just before the break, while Andy Watson, formerly with Halifax Town and Walsall, added the decisive second in the dying minutes.

The occasion seemed to weigh on the Town players early on as they struggled to settle as Doncaster set to put the visitors in their place.

Former Halifax Town and Falkirk winger Jamie Paterson hit the bar after just four minutes with a curling effort, while Harrogate keeper Ashley Connor set a few nerves jangling as he failed to fully deal with Gareth Owen's cross.

However, as Town began to find their feet they did play some attractive football.

A cunning corner move deserved more, but Dave Merris, having reached the corner at pace from the left-back berth, could only drive his shot wide, while Craig Elliott and Scott Bonsall also linked up brilliantly, but the final ball into the box just eluded Robbie Whellans.

Just as it looked like Town might grab the opening goal, Rovers stepped up a gear, with Campbell making a nuisance of himself among the Town defence.

A side-footed volley went wide and a shot bobbled across the goal-mouth served as warnings to what was about to come before Paterson's in-swinging free-kick was nodded home by the ex-Minsterman minutes before the break.

Town came out for the second half with renewed vigour and had Whellans been a couple of inches taller he might have reached Atkinson's delightful curling cross.

However, Doncaster themselves could have added to the score but Campbell and substitute Justin Jackson were denied by a sensational double save from Connor.

Darren Beesley, Town's new signing from St Mirren, showed his talents when he came off the bench and was just off range with a dipping effort from 35 yards out.

With time running out, Town pushed forward in numbers and is so often the case, they got caught out at the back. Jackson proved the worth of chasing long balls as he won the foot race, before teeing up Watson to slot home.

The goal was harsh on Town who certainly deserved more from the game, but with title rivals Radcliffe Borough slipping up in league action, they are now a point clear at the top with four games in hand.

In the Northern Counties East League premier division, Harrogate Railway showed no ill effects from their mid-week defeat against Town as they beat Garforth 4-1.

Goals from Steve Davey, Ian Hart and Danny Ames set up the victory, which lifts Rail up to ninth in the table.

Selby Town went down to a 3-0 defeat at Glasshoughton.

The Robins, who have been hit by injuries and suspensions, were caught cold in the first ten minutes when Glasshoughton raced into a two-goal lead, courtesy of Shaun Jeavons and Richard Marchant.

Selby gradually clawed their way back into the game but they could not convert their possession into goals with new signing Mike Amos, Ryan Carmody and Mark Turner going close.

Even the sending-off of Glasshoughton's Richard Stack failed to help Selby's cause and it was the home side who sealed the result as Jonathan Jones scored with 15 minutes to go.

Pickering Town also saw their title hopes suffer as they suffered a 3-1 home defeat against Arnold Town.

Mark Gadsby (2) and Craig Maddison netted for Arnold will Alex Willgrass grabbed Pickering's consolation.

Nestl Rowntree are back on top of the West Yorkshire League premier division thanks to their 3-2 win over Wakefield.

Steve Ward (2) and Martin Cowl netted to see them open up a two-point gap.

Updated: 12:27 Monday, January 14, 2002