A LATE goal from former Hartlepool United man Nicky Deverdics handed defeat to Harrogate Town on the final day in the National League – even though the North Yorkshiremen will still play in the play-offs this week.

Despite losing 2-1 at promotion rivals Wrexham, Town will play Fylde on Wednesday for the right to face Solihull Moors in the play-off semi-finals.

Harrogate went ahead through Mark Beck before Jason Oswell levelled for Wrexham.

Wrexham goalkeeper Kristian Dibble saved Jack Muldoon's penalty before Deverdics' winner ten minutes from time.

Harrogate now travel to Fylde on May 1 with Wrexham at home to Eastleigh the following evening. Wrexham or Eastleigh will face Salford City away in the other play-off semi-final on Sunday, 5 May.

Harrogate: Cracknell, Thomson, Beck, Williams, Agnnew, Leesley, Langmead, Muldoon, Lees, Kitching, Woods. Subs (not used): Belshaw, Falkingham, Howe, Burrell, Thewlis.

GATESHEAD’S miserable end to the season was summed when with ten men they suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Barrow.

John Rooney's double ensured that Barrow finished the National League season in style with an away win.

A curling effort into the top corner opened the midfielder's account after eight minutes.

Jack Hindle's back-heel teed him up for number two midway through the first half, and he could have registered a hat-trick before the break, but for a 25-yard free-kick rebounding from the crossbar.

In the second half, Joel Dixon pulled off fine saves from Scott Barrow and Tom White to keep the visitors in front.

Gateshead's dismal end to a campaign of financial struggle and play-off disappointment was capped by a second booking and dismissal for White in the last ten minutes.

Gateshead: Pears; Tinkler, Devitt (O’Donnell 46), Williamson, Mellish, Barrow, White, Olley, Hunter (Maloney 73), Salkeld (Thomson 68), Rigg. Subs (not used); Foden, McGeoch.

STEVE Watson has questioned the need for “wholesale changes” at York City as he looks to mount a promotion challenge next season.

The Minstermen ended 2018/19 in their lowest-ever league position after a 1-0 home win over play-off hopefuls Telford failed to lift them higher than 12th in National League North’s final standings.

Skipper Jordan Burrow scored the only goal of the game in the 50th minute to take his season’s tally to 19, with Watson telling the York Press: “I’m really pleased for Jordan. He chases everything down for us and has scored two really good goals in the last two games to win us six points.”

Since Watson’s appointment as manager in January, City have demonstrated top-seven form. But only seven senior players – Tom Allan, Burrow, David Ferguson, Kallum Griffiths, Sean Newton, Jake Wright and Wes York – have Minstermen deals beyond this summer.

“Everyone seems to be talking about wholesale changes but, whilst it will be added to, there’s the basis of a very good team here,” the City chief declared. “Our form has been good from February onwards.

“We’ve spurned a lot of chances and conceded a lot of goals from set-pieces, but nobody has outplayed us, and we were up against two top strikers for Telford, but our shape was very good, and we kept a clean sheet. The players have all got better since we came here, and nobody’s fitness levels or attitudes have worsened.

“We’ve spoken to a lot of the players already about nest season, but still need to speak to a few that I left until after this game so I could have another look at them.”

York City: Whitley, Griffiths, Ferguson, Newton, Tait, Moke, Harris (Dyer 90+4), McLaughlin, Burrow, Burgess, Kempster (York 67). Subs (not used): Law, Moon, York, Bartlett.