CRAIG Ellerker's second-half header saw Harrogate Town close the gap on the leaders in Conference North with a 1-0 win at Hinckley United.

Chances were scarce in a game played at a wet and muddy Marstons Stadium, but Ellerker found himself unmarked in the Hinckley box on 55 minutes and headed home a Danny Holland cross.

This was Harrogate's third successive win at Hinckley and lifted them to cusp of the Conference North play-off positions.

Both teams showed their attacking intent early with Roy Hunter pulling the strings for Town - heading a Lee Philpott free-kick over the bar before curling his own 25-yard effort narrowly wide.

Harrogate keeper James Lindley was in action on 25 minutes, collecting well at the feet of Sam Shilton.

Town almost had the lead at the half but Dave Merris's shot from an angle was stopped by the feet of Hinckley goalkeeper Sean Bowles. The loose ball fell to Darren Dunning, whose goal-bound effort was inadvertently blocked by Holland.

In a tight match, one goal was likely to be the difference and Ellerker's second-half header proved to be the case.