FREE-SCORING Harrogate Town will continue to be without prolific marksman Simon Ainge, but are still averaging three goals a game ahead of their home clash with York City.

The National League North table-toppers have plundered 36 goals in their 12 league and cup contests this term, even though Ainge has missed the last five matches after undergoing a groin operation.

The 29-year-old campaigner had plundered nine goals in Town’s opening seven fixtures, having only been converted into a striker due to a January injury crisis following a journeyman career as a centre-half and full-back for the likes of Bradford City, Bradford Park Avenue, Guiseley and Halifax.

But he will now be out until the beginning of November, although the impact on Simon Weaver’s squad has been surprisingly minimal, especially considering that fellow forwards Dominic Knowles and Jake Wright are also currently in the treatment room.

Knowles, who spent the 2012 pre-season as a trialist at Bootham Crescent during Gary Mills’ first spell as Minstermen chief, has been absent since mid-August.

Ex-City loan striker Wright has missed the last two matches having made a couple of appearances and got on the scoresheet already following a three-month switch from Sheffield United.

Wright, 21, netted once in seven outings for the City having arrived from Bramall Lane last term.

But despite the trio’s treatment room woes, the likes of Jordan Thewlis and Joe Leesley have compensated by hitting the target seven and six times respectively during the campaign.

Their efforts have helped Town score nine more times than any other side in the division – Blyth Spartans boast the next-best record on 24 – with no team yet to keep a clean sheet against Weaver’s men.

Nor are they shabby at the back, with 12 goals conceded representing the fourth-best defensive record in the league behind Brackley (six), Salford (seven) and Chorley (11).

Harrogate have also won their last three matches, beating North East Counties League outfit Penistone Church 3-0 in the FA Cup after back-to-back victories at Southport (4-1) and Telford (5-1).

Their only defeat this season was a 2-1 home reverse against Salford City in their league match at home.

Crocked ex-Spennymoor defender Louie Swain and former Tamworth midfielder Lloyd Kerry have also played no part since the start of the campaign.

Harrogate boss Weaver joined City in the summer of 2006, but left for Tamworth that August having never made an appearance for the club.

The 39-year-old, former centre back has been in charge at Harrogate since 2009, working for the last seven of those years under his father Irving, who is chairman.