Dramatic scenes as Harrogate score a 99th minute winner to see 5 teams separated by 2 points in the L2 relegation battle.
Jacob Slater scored to give Simon Weaver’s side a 1-0 victory which leaves them a point from safety with two games left to play and level on points with 23rd place Barrow.
Newport, 22nd, and Tranmere, 21st, sit on 37 points, with Crawley, 20th, on 38, although Tranmere have a game in hand still to play, against Cheltenham, who won 1-0 against Newport.
The League Two relegation battle is shaping up to be a huge one, with FIVE teams separated by just TWO points with two or three games remaining! pic.twitter.com/H0hf8lqLFx
— The Football Badger (@thefootiebadger) April 18, 2026
Harrogate’s Simon Weaver said, per Yorkshire Post: “It would be pretty dramatic to finish in the right way now but we’ve achieved great things before. We know it can have one final twist.
“There’s three games, nine points to play for. We have to aim for nine to give ourselves every chance but the first step is Colchester.
“We have to acknowledge they’re a good team if you let them play. However we have to now focus on ourselves.”
On following up from a 2-1 defeat to Newport last week: “We didn’t turn up on the day and show what we’re about. I’ve been proud of the efforts of all the squad over the last few months, we’ve given it a real go and battled every step of the way.
“Last Saturday we were well short of our performance level in recent months and it was a long journey home, basically sat in silence. It was a difficult day on Sunday.
“We reviewed it with the players and they watched the first 20 minutes because you have to see it sometimes. We all have to see where we’ve come up short in order to move on and attack games I the same vein as we did previous to Newport.
“I 100 per cent expect better. I expect passion to be in evidence.
“We were half a yard short everywhere. There was the odd exception in terms of individuals but throughout the defence, midfield and attack we lacked that real bite that got us to this level originally.
“You can talk about systems and tactics but more often than not it’s mentality. That’s what we’ve brought to the table for years. We need to get back to that.
“I could change it slightly, not in terms of the tactical messages but there may be something slightly different as we approach kick-off.
“But I think if I do something totally quirky, players will think that’s just pressure getting to you.
“We have to attack it in the same vein you attack any football game – with great passion and deliver a performance for your fans that they’re proud of and they think every single person’s on the same hymn sheet wanting the best for the club and its community.
“Everybody said the right words in the changing room on Saturday. They got in a huddle and actions speak louder than words but it didn’t happen for whatever reason.
“We’re hoping that’s the one blip in terms of that level of application in probably the last 20. We’ve had defeats, admittedly, and we’ve sometimes been lacking a bit of quality in front of the goalposts but in terms of application we’ve been very proud in all but that game.”
HARROGATE’S REMAINING GAMES:
Sat 25 Apr (A) Walsall – 3pm
Sat 2 May (H) Barnet – 3pm
BARROW’S REMAINING GAMES:
Sat 25 Apr (A) Cambridge United – 3pm
Sat 2 May (H) Newport County – 3pm
NEWPORT’S REMAINING GAMES:
Sat 25 Apr (H) Oldham Athletic – 3pm
Sat 2 May (A) Barrow – 3pm
TRANMERE’S REMAINING GAMES:
Tue 21 Apr (A) Cheltenham Town – 7.45pm
Sat 25 Apr (A) Milton Keynes Dons – 12.30pm
Sat 2 May (H) Grimsby Town – 3pm
CRAWLEY’S REMAINING GAMES:
Sat 25 Apr (A) Accrington Stanley – 3pm
Sat 2 May (H) Salford City – 3pm
Here’s how fans reacted after a Harrogate score 99th minute winner, with 5 teams separated by 2 points in the L2 relegation battle…
@Jimbokav1971: Newport v Barrow last game of the season will be messy. We (Barnet) are away to Harrogate last game of season. They will be looking to survive. We (might just), be still chasing a playoff spot. Don’t think Tranmere will earn a single point from here.
@theboywillywray: Barrow vs Newport final game looks tasty
@Heddo9032: It’s so so nice to be able to look at this now that we’ve pulled away, can only imagine how horrible it is for the teams still involved #bristolrovers
@rd_npse: County fan here… any other season and any one of these teams could be adrift by now, five very poor sides. Think one more win for us could be enough, but who knows… praying we don’t have to go to Barrow final day needing a result.
@__PaulG: That last kick of the game goal that we (Harrogate) scored yesterday really put us back in it. Newport and Barrow play each other on the final day as well! Next weekend is vital for everyone
@MitchMoylan: Lowest amount of wins in the league and still haven’t touched the bottom 2 😭😭😭😭 I’m in full support of the 5 up 5 down campaign.
@AidanParfitt: Simple fact is if its happens its deserved, been awful all year from back to front and top to bottom, need some people around the club to give a fuck #crawley
@NCAFCThoughts: Seen a few people working out different scenarios but I’ll be honest, the only scenario I can stomach is us winning against Oldham next weekend and securing safety due to Barrow and Harrogate losing. The thought of going to Barrow needing anything makes me feel ill.