HARROGATE Town warmed their fans upon a bitterly cold afternoon in Vanarama National North by defeating Worcester City 3-0.

Maybe the visitors hadn’t entirely got over their long trip to North Yorkshire as centre half Simon Ainge celebrated his 29th birthday a week early by putting Town ahead in the tenth minute.

He got on the end of a great cross to drive the ball low underneath Ethan Ross’ body.

However, it took until the 67th minute for Harrogate to double their lead in what was a very scrappy encounter.

Danny Ellis rose highest from a corner to head the ball into the top left corner, and the game was put to bed in the 74th minute as Louie Swain was first to react to a deflection, firing low in to the bottom right-hand corner.

City looked to press Harrogate back in the closing stages but couldn’t find a way through their resolute defence to bother Peter Crook in the Town goal as the hosts remained ninth.

A victory couldn’t improve the standing of Knaresborough Town either in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League First Division.

They defeated the weather and Winterton Rangers thanks to a Fraser Lancaster goal in the 62nd minute at Manse Lane but remained seventh.

Ben Ledger was making his Town debut in goal and was soon in the action, twice denying Robert Petch and also Joshua Peart.

Brad Walker, who capitalised on a Rangers defensive error, and Lancaster had first-half opportunities before Petch was sent off in the 33rd minute for a challenge on Sam Cook.

Paul Atkinson set up Lancaster in the second half, and the latter had other opportunities before a front-post header from a Harry Brown cross, Atkinson also being involved in the move.