HARROGATE RUFC stuttered and stumbled to a 42-20 defeat against Nuneaton which thrusts them a lot closer to the National League Two abyss.

Claro Road's biggest crowd of the season saw home tries by James Tapster, Ed Smithes and Mark Erven, Lee Cholewa kicking the rest of the points.

Former Welsh international Matt Cardey was among the Nuneaton scorers.

Updated: 10:59 Monday, April 04, 2005