Harrogate win at Walsall but they remain in bottom two after Newport drama

Shawn McCoulsky scored twice as Harrogate climbed off the foot of League Two with a 2-0 victory at Walsall.

However, relegation rivals Newport’s late, late winner – 20 minutes into stoppage time – against Oldham means the Sulphurites remain in the drop zone heading into the final day.

Harrogate’s destiny would seemed a lot rosier but for the late Newport goal – but they stay inside the bottom two on goal difference heading into a final-day home game with Barnet.

Goalkeeper Mark Oxley was Harrogate’s first-half hero with a string of saves to keep mid-table Walsall at bay.

He reacted superbly to thwart Charlie Lakin – with Priestley Farquharson’s follow-up hitting the post – before denying Jid Okeke one-on-one and acrobatically foiling Alex Pattison’s long-range effort.

In between, Harrogate also hit the woodwork as Emmerson Sutton’s curler struck the post but they led on the brink of half-time, McCoulsky arcing home a 20-yard stunner into the top corner.

McCoulsky added the killer second on 54 minutes, racing clear from halfway as the assistant’s flag stayed down before coolly beating Roberts.