Accrington pile misery on struggling Harrogate with routine away win

Accrington moved eight points clear of the League Two relegation zone after easing to a 2-0 win at troubled Harrogate.

A goal in each half from Paddy Madden and Benn Ward saw the visitors extend their unbeaten league run to a sixth game.

Second-bottom Harrogate, meanwhile, have now taken just two points from a possible 27 during their longest-ever run of nine EFL games without a win.

After the visitors netted first they never looked like surrendering the initiative against a shot-shy Sulphurites side that mustered just one on-target attempt all evening.

Earlier, home striker Tom Cursons blazed a chance out of the ground and Shaun Whalley curled wide from the edge of the box for Accrington before on-loan Chesterfield marksman Madden opened the scoring in the 45th minute.

The 35-year-old striker rose unchallenged to meet Donald Love’s right-wing cross and planted a firm header into the far corner from 10 yards.

Ward doubled the advantage in the 65th minute when he strode unopposed to the edge of the Harrogate box and unleashed a thumping shot into James Belshaw’s top-left corner.

Booing Harrogate fans vented their frustration throughout the second half and at the final whistle.