Harrogate boss Simon Weaver fumes over ‘crazy decision’ to send off Jacob Slater

Harrogate manager Simon Weaver fumed about a “crazy decision” which cost his side “dearly” as their winless Sky Bet League Two run was extended to 13 games with a 1-0 loss at Accrington.

Stanley scored in the first minute of added time when referee Declan Bourne adjudged Warren Burrell had clipped Shaun Whalley and the winger stepped up to send James Belshaw the wrong way.

Just after the restart, Belshaw was superb at denying Isaac Sinclair, Alex Henderson and Seamus Conneely.

It got worse for Harrogate when defender Jacob Slater was shown a straight red for what referee Bourne saw as a high boot on Sinclair in the 59th minute, with Weaver also booked in the aftermath.

The Sulphurites dropped to the foot of the table following Newport’s win against Crewe.

The Town boss said: “The sending-off was a crazy decision and it has cost us dearly with a large part of game still to play. I am sure we will get it rescinded.

“I thought we played well in the first half, we have to convert our chances, but I thought we were on top for the large part of it and played some good football.

“We were disappointed to concede the penalty, it was dubious.

“At the start of the second half, they mauled us for 10 minutes and there were a couple of wonderful saves from our keeper, keeping us in it, and then came the sending-off.

“We had a good reaction, we didn’t roll over, we fought hard and had a few sniffs at goal late on.

“We have got a few players back from injury, which was the positive of the night.

“Injuries have been the story of the first half of the season and thankfully the first half of the season is over, and we start again and we are now looking forward to next game.

“There’s half a season to play and it’s about holding our nerve, keeping our mettle and being determined to get through it.”

Stanley chalked up back-to-back wins at the Wham Stadium to climb up the table.

“It was an outstanding performance,” Accrington boss John Doolan said.

“Harrogate are scrapping for their lives and we have been there.

“The challenge was there for our players, we asked the lads to go again and we can’t fill a bench at the moment. They gave everything and I am pleased with the clean sheet as well.

“We lacked a little quality in the final third in the first half, but got the penalty just before the break.

“Then, after the break, their keeper made some outstanding saves.

“I wanted to get the second to relax, the sending-off helped us, but we just couldn’t get it.

“It’s a big six points from two home games. We want to keep climbing the table.”