After a stubborn defensive display in the win against Cheltenham, Martin Paterson’s men needed a late penalty from Matthew Dennis to secure a 1–1 draw and extend their unbeaten run in League Two to six matches.
In the first half, Notts County struggled to find their rhythm. Hall, Grant and Jatta found chances hard to come by as Harrogate’s compact shape frustrated the hosts.
Jatta forced Belshaw into a sharp save at the near post, one of the few moments of threat from County before the break.
Belshaw was called on again to block Tyreese Hall’s close-range effort from ten yards, preserving the Town’s rigid defensive structure.
However, the visitors’ efforts and organisation paid off. In the 39th minute, the ball ricocheted through to Luke Cursons, whose close-range shot deflected off defender Lucas Ness to put his side ahead.
County almost fell two behind moments later when a dangerous low ball flashed across the six-yard box, just evading Cursons, who slid in but couldn’t connect with what would have been a simple tap-in.
County emerged rejuvenated after the break. Belshaw had to acrobatically tip over Jatta’s scorching drive before Ness headed just over from a Palmer corner.
Deep into stoppage time, Jarvis was brought down by Shawn McCoulsky as he burst into the box, earning County a late penalty. Dennis calmly sent Belshaw the wrong way to secure an important point and keep the Magpies in the thick of the promotion race.
