Woking slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to second-placed Harrogate Town in the National League on Saturday.

The Cards started the game positively, pressing high and retaining possession of the ball in the first five minutes.

The visitors registered the first effort of the match soon afterwards. Ellis Taylor tried his luck from distance, forcing Cards keeper Will Jaaskelainen into a routine save before Grant Horton headed well over the bar from Will McGowan’s free-kick.

The match remained hotly contested with little to separate the two sides midway through the first half. Tariq Hinds’ free-kick hit the side netting in the 27th minute as the match remained level.

McGowan went close for the visitors soon afterwards, when his shot was comfortably saved by Jaaskelainen.

The Sulphurites took the lead on 32 minutes. Taylor produced a good run down the left-hand side, before smashing the ball into the roof of the net past Jaaskelainen.

Woking almost responded immediately. Aiden O’Brien smashed a half-volley towards goal, forcing Harrogate keeper Luke Hutchinson into an acrobatic save.

John Marquis struck a low effort towards goal moments later, but Hutchinson made a comfortable save.

Woking started the second half quickly. Roy Syla’s free-kick called Hutchinson into action, before Hinds’ shot was blocked.

The Cards continued to press and Matt Ward struck wide from a quick free-kick won by Marquis after the striker was deemed to have been held.

O’Brien sent a looping header over the bar before Timmy Akinola’s long-range effort called Hutchinson into action.

Sam Dreyer nearly doubled Harrogate’s lead late on, but his powerful header which went just over Jaaskelainen’s bar.

The Cards almost equalised in stoppage time, but Taylan Harris’ header went over the bar as the visitors held firm to secure all three points.

By Cameron Donaldson