ALTHOUGH the 14-8 defeat at home to table-toppers Doncaster was Harrogate's eighth defeat in nine National Two games, they gave a much improved performance.

Harrogate, third from bottom of the table, looked for long periods the better side.

Doncaster took a 12th minute lead when stand-off Rob Liley slotted a penalty.

Harrogate notched the game's first try five minutes later, Andy Boyle charging down a clearance kick and swooping to score.

Two more Liley penalties, after 27 and 35 minutes, gave the Castle Park side a half-time lead.

They were penned back through a couple of sin-binnings, but Harrogate took advantage with only a Lee Cholewa penalty.

With Doncaster back to strength Harrogate ran the ball from a scrum on their own 22, got turned over and full-back Nick Wakley went over in the corner.

Updated: 10:25 Monday, January 10, 2005