WHAT started out with such optimism ended as a bit of an anti-climax in North Yorkshire.

Not only did Worcester City lose this must-win game against Harrogate Town but, for the first time in recent weeks, results in the play-off equation went firmly against them.

Had Andy Preece's side not fallen to their third defeat in as many visits to Wetherby Road, this time courtesy of Danny Holland's 80th-minute close-range strike, it would only have stretched their unbeaten end-of-season run to seven games.

For not only did Hyde United and Blyth Spartans beat Droylsden and Hinckley Un-ited respectively, but Farsley Celtic thumped Redditch in a result which ultimately sec-ured them the last play-off place at the expense of Harr-ogate.

However, neither set of players were aware of the drama conspiring against them at the Valley Stadium as they battled it out under the baking Yorkshire skies. Both teams produced football that was pleasing on the eye as they went in search of what they hoped would be three priceless points.

Given the stakes, it was also an edgy and, at times feisty, affair not helped by the sapping conditions of one of the warmest Aprils on record.

Worcester were into their stride first and exerted early pressure on the hosts, particularly down the left-hand side through Mark Danks and Craig Wilding.

Harrogate gradually got a foothold in the match, but it was the visitors who came within a post's width of taking the lead on the half-hour.

Danks found himself in space inside the penalty area and unleashed a left-footed shot which beat goalkeeper James Lindley but cannoned back off the far upright.

Adam Webster was also den-ied 10 minutes later, this time by a defender throwing himself in front of the striker's close-range goal-bound effort.

City, too, were forced to def-end and had captain Des Lyttle to thank for two timely interceptions early on and Danny McDonnell for commanding his area and holding on to Holland's neat flick.

Holland, though, should have done better when put through six minutes before the break but Harrogate's top-scorer blazed woefully over the crossbar.

Webster had a shot held by Lindley shortly after the interval and, two minutes later, Wilding headed George Cl-egg's free-kick wide when unmarked in the penalty area.

As the pressure increased on both sides, Chris Smith and Town skipper Roy Hunter were summoned by the referee following a coming together in midfield.

Seconds later, Adam Burley sent a dipping drive inches over the top of Lindley's goal before Harrogate's Chris Bettney fired a free-kick narrowly wide and McDonnell saved at the feet of Darren Dunning.

Graham Ward was next to go close, shooting inches over following Clegg's cross, while McDonnell produced a fine save to push Kirk Jackson's effort past the post.

With time running out, Preece was becoming increasingly agitated on the touchline but, in the aftermath of Harrogate's first substitution, the hosts struck the decisive blow.

Dave Merris got clear on the left before sending in a cross which was dummied by Jack-son, who played against City for Gainsborough earlier this month, for Holland to turn neatly past the despairing lunges of Smith and McDonnell.

Whether City knew their fate was as good as sealed elsewhere did not seem to matter as they pushed forward for goals, throwing on Troy Wood and Shaun Findlay for Lyttle and Clegg in the process.

Wood fired wide from distance and Wilding was off target after good approach play from Findlay before Danny Hodnett compounded their misery with a 94th-minute caution for a late challenge on Jackson which forced the striker off injured.

City: McDonnell, Ward, Burley, Smith, Hodnett, Lyttle (Wood 87), Colley, Webster, Danks, Wilding, Clegg (Findlay 87). Subs not used: Preece, Warmer, Walker.

Attendance: 526.