Taylor Perry bagged the only goal of the game as the hosts moved four points clear of Harrogate in 23rd.

Jack Taylor was sent off for two bookable offences – the second of which was delaying play – before boss Simon Weaver was shown red after the final whistle for remonstrating with the officials.

“I’m delighted, relieved obviously,” said Appleton. “I thought we played well, we were brave, had a good structure to us.

“We looked like the team that wanted to win the game, they looked like a team who were happy to come here and get a point and sit behind the ball.

“Going down to 10 men can affect a group, especially a group that is low on confidence.

“We’ve scored a really good goal. It’s a great strike from TP. But we had some big chances where we should do better because it would have put the game to bed.

“If you’d have told me 1-0 before the game, I’d have snapped your hand off.

“I didn’t have any sort of doubts before we scored, I always thought we’d score a goal, but we had numerous chances to go 2-0 up.

“We were professional and saw the game out.

“It would have been a dagger to the heart if that chance at the end hit the bar. If that was a little bit of luck I think we earned that today.”

Harrogate goalkeeper Henry Gray produced a number of fine saves to keep the North Yorkshire side in the game.

But the visitors failed to find a welcome goal to secure an important point.

Assistant boss Paul Thirwell, taking media duties in Weaver’s absence after he was sent off, said: “The game changes on a decision which I think is not the right one, to word it in a certain way so I don’t get into trouble.

“It’s really difficult. Nobody wants to hear us complaining about decisions, but the facts are the facts really.

“Everybody has a story to tell, but the only sort we’re interested in is our own. It’s a bit of a head scratcher if I’m honest.

“We have to look a yourselves and see how we can be better.

“In any game of football when you get a man sent off, it changes the tide and they got a little boost from that.

“They got themselves in front, but I thought the lads were outstanding with 10 men, they kept going.

“We’ve had some opportunities, but they didn’t half put a right shift in for the manager and the supporters who travelled.
We’re bitterly disappointed.”