Centre-back and new signing Sam Denton went straight into the first eleven partnering Alex Low, allowing stand-in Dan Coupland to return to a more familiar midfield role. Captain James Beaston filled in at right back to replace an unavailable Soni Fergus, and there were also starts for Joe Colley and Sean Hunter.

The first twenty minutes or so saw the two sides trade chances – Jonny Irving forced a save from Toby Wells when getting on the end of Ryan Toulson’s long throw, then Adam Priestley fired just wide of the upright when winning the ball twenty yards out. Joe Colley’s volley (sigh!) was claimed by Eagles keeper Brad Emmerson, then down the other end Lewis Sugden curled a free kick narrowly off target.

The hosts then upped the pressure in the latter part of the first half. Talent Ndlovu lashed a shot just wide after weaving his way into the box, then Irving was denied by Wells who pulled off a great save after the midfielder latched on to Jacob Buchanan's header. Town did manage one chance before the break when Lee Turner was put through, but his attempt to chip Emmerson was deflected wide.

Shortly into the second half Sam Barker saw a low shot blocked at close range from Denton’s inswinging corner. The hosts soon went on the attack again however and on 58 mins took the lead. Miscommunication at the back let in Irving to poke the ball past Wells and score from a narrow angle. Buchanan almost doubled the Eagles’ lead three minutes later when racing clear, but Wells was there to make another good stop. Any signs that The Miners would crumble were however soon blown away as they showed great character to go on and play their best football of the afternoon against a solid home defence and deteriorating surface.

The hosts were lucky to keep eleven men on the field on 62 mins when Emmerson handled outside the area, but escaped with only a yellow card. The resulting free-kick came to nothing, but Dan Coupland was unlucky not to level the scores moments later with a curling effort seemingly destined for the top corner which Emmerson did well to equal. The midfielder didn’t have to wait long for another chance though. Priestley's delivery to the far post ended in pinball and Coupland finding himself in space to sidefoot home. Hunter had sight of goal soon after when played in by Turner and Coupland's one-two, but his low shot was easily dealt with.

Down the other end Irving's acrobatic strike was kept out by Wells after shots from teammates were blocked on the line, one of which by Denton who went down with a head injury, but happily was able to continue after treatment.

Undeterred, Town went on the attack once more and were rewarded with a late winner. Barker’s flick-on put through substitute Mark Simpson to coolly stroke the ball across Emmerson and into the bottom corner and spark wild celebrations. Recent weeks have been lean for Garforth’s all-time top scorer by his high standards, but his crucial goal puts him within three of a century for the club.

The Miners return to this very venue on Wednesday as the two sides meet in the first round of the West Riding County Cup (kick-off 7:45pm).