HARROGATE Town won't be lining up against York City in a Nationwide Conference North Yorkshire derby next season.

Neil Aspin's men lost 1-0 at Stafford Rangers in their Nationwide North semi-final play-off last night.

Robin Gibson got the all important goal on 64 minutes which put Rangers through to the final play-off against Droylsden at Burton's Pirelli Stadium on Saturday.

Town, who had won 1-0 at Marston Road at the weekend to secure their play-off slot, found Stafford a different proposition this time.

Apart from an early overhead kick by Danny Holland, Town offered little threat in attack and pressure mounted on their goal in the second half.

Kevin Streets had already hit a post with a curling free-kick when 41-year-old York-born striker Neil Grayson forced a fine save from Harrogate goalkeeper Martin Woods. But Town only partly cleared the ensuing corner and Gibson had time to move the ball onto his right foot and fire home from 25 yards.

Stafford dominated a scrappy game fought out in front of 1,655 fans, and saw out a spell of late Harrogate pressure to earn a deserved victory.

Updated: 10:21 Wednesday, May 03, 2006