HARROGATE maintained their promotion push with an 18-6 victory at Fylde, closing to within two points of the top of National Two following Henley's surprise home defeat against Nottingham.

They generally play it tight at Fylde and Harrogate opted for a similar style, largely forsaking their normal running game. And with mistakes and penalties littering a scrappy, niggling game there was not a lot to admire through the whole 80 minutes at The Woodlands.

Harrogate's forward dominance, though, brought them two tries with another coming from one of the few passages of open play. First, recalled back row Richard Wade barged over from a close range maul, set up by a clever chip for the corner by centre Matt Duncombe.

Then, in the second half, Mark Farrar got on the end of a passing movement to score the second. The wing did exceptionally well to pick up a terrible pass from full-back Ed Smithies from round his ankles before outpacing the cover.

The irritation evident in the forward exchanges finally brought action from referee Dave Edmunds who in quick succession sin-binned Fylde captain Matt Filipo and replacement flanker Martin Scott, off within six minutes of joining the fray.

While they were sidelined Harrogate lock Andrew Boyle scored his first league try for the club, bullocking over from close range after a superb break by scrum-half Rhys Morgan had set up the position.

Stand-off Richard Windle, in for the prolific Lee Cholewa who was at a family wedding, had a poor day with the boot, missing all three conversions and managing just a solitary penalty to two by his opposite number Dave Wiseman.

Updated: 12:17 Monday, October 28, 2002