LAST-SECOND heroics from Harrogate Town goalkeeper Paul Pettinger kept them well in the Nationwide North play-off places with a 2-1 win over Vauxhall Motors.

The skipper braved a shot in the face as Peter Cumiskey launched a final low drive in their hunt for an equaliser but could only find Pettinger's body as the referee blew to end the game a millisecond later to a 500-strong collective sigh of relief.

The second half was all Vauxhall as they pushed for a point and Town struggled to find their creativity with the lack of a single dedicated midfielder generating gaping holes across the park.

Big front man Marc Smith dropped back in an effort to at least get a sniff of the action but with only Danny Holland effectively up front, the majority of the flicks and headers fell to the feet of the Motors back four. And with the entire midfield pushing the defence practically onto the edge of the 18-yard box, Vauxhall had the run of the park and they deserved an equaliser.

It was a far cry from the lightning start Town had made when Leigh Wood headed the ball into danger and a weak back pass gave Danny Holland enough time to nip and place it past the keeper on 38 seconds.

Part of Town's struggle came after losing experienced midfielder Lee Philpott to a thigh strain in the warm up. Striker Lee Morris plugged the gap from the bench and validated manager Neil Aspin's decision when he threaded a ball through to Holland for his second on nine minutes, Vauxhall's Stephen McNulty playing him onside.

But, although vulnerable at the back, Vauxhall were always a threat in attack and Michael Garrity thundered home a 35-yard drive into Pettinger's top corner on 34 minutes.

Relieved Town boss Aspin said: "I'm delighted with the win. In the second half it was all Vauxhall and in the end we were hanging on.

"They had a lot of possession but I thought our defence soaked it up well and the keeper made that great save right at the death to keep them out."

Updated: 10:41 Tuesday, March 29, 2005