APPALLING conditions at Wetherby Road forced Harrogate Town and Gainsborough to settle for a 1-1 draw in Conference North.

Wind, rain and a thunder storm meant both sides had to contend with a poor pitch and limited chances on goal.

Town started the better and ex-York City player Darren Dunning hit the bar from 20 yards on 17 minutes.

Town took the lead on the half-hour when Colin Hunter ran onto an angled ball and slid the ball past Sollitt into the net as two Gainsborough defenders tried vainly to clear the ball off the line.

Gainsborough restored parity on the stroke of half-time when, a mix up between Town goalkeeper James Lindley and Jamie Price allowed Ross Hannah to steer the ball home.

Although Town had seen the better of the first half, it was the visitors who had the ascendancy in the second period - as conditions worsened.

Matt Austin shot wide from the edge of the area, while a Lindley clearance rebounded just wide of a Harrogate defender.

But Town could have nicked all three points late on when Chris Ellerker's header was cleared off the line.