The power of John Dudley and the pace of Ed Smithies got below-par Harrogate on the national league division two promotion trail in a scrappy exchange at the Woodlands Ground that ended in an 18-12 victory for the visitors.

Four Ben Godfrey penalties to two by Richard Windle had put the home side in the lead, albeit not in control, when Harrogate, who seemed strangely lethargic, finally got their act together with just six minutes to go.

After a spell of sustained pressure the ball was spun left and full-back Smithies burst into the line in a scissors move to cross under the posts for his 13th try of the season.

Lee Cholewa, who had replaced Windle, added the conversion before the rampaging Dudley took a hand.

With the game heading into injury-time the powerful forward, on loan from Rotherham and back at perhaps his best position at number 8, was perfectly placed to finish strong work by the pack.

Harrogate attacked from deep with centre Matt Duncombe to the fore before the forwards set up a series of mauls, sucking in the Fylde defence.

Dudley picked up at the back of one on the 22, took a good look at what was on, spottted a lack of cover and burst down the blindside. Penalty-ace Godfrey was effortlessly brushed aside as he tried to stop the rhino-like charge, Dudley storming in for his second try for his new club.

With Peter Taylor restored to the second row after RAF duties, the line-out, which cost Harrogate a lot of ball in the defeat by Wharfedale, functioned better. But there is still room for improvement in the new year.