Harrogate Town striker Luke Armstrong believes his side would have won Saturday’s game at home to Stevenage had he converted his first-half chance.

The Sulphurites, who currently occupy third place in League Two, were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against 21^st-placed Boro at the EnviroVent Stadium.

Armstrong has impressed since joining the club in the summer from Salford City, becoming the league's joint-top-scorer with six goals in nine appearances.

But the 25-year-old couldn’t convert Harrogate’s only clear-cut chance of the afternoon as he fired wide from close range after Ryan Fallowfield had crossed.

Stevenage had already seen two efforts cleared off the line beforehand, but Armstrong is certain Town would have secured the win if he had scored.

As per the Harrogate Advertiser, he said: “I’ve ended up going too far past the front post, so I’ve had to get a little touch on the cross rather than a good contact and I just didn’t quite get enough on the ball, which is really frustrating.

“It’s 100 per cent a different game going in at half-time if we’ve got a lead, it kind of wrecks their game-plan. They’ve not got anything to hold on to anymore and we can go on and probably get a few more goals after that.

“I am disappointed, but the main thing is that I’m getting in there and getting chances and more often than not, that one goes in.”

Stevenage substitute Luke Norris became their third player to see an effort cleared off the line in a match they’ll believe they should have won.

Armstrong added that Town’s strong start to the season led to the visitors setting up to nullify them, saying: "It was very frustrating. I think that the way we have been playing we would have expected to win the game, but in terms of our performance, it wasn't our best.

"There was a bit of a lack of intensity, but maybe that's because of the way they played and the way they sought to just absorb the pressure and hit us on the break.

"But that's what teams are going to do when you're doing well, you've got to expect it. Especially a team like Stevenage, who have had a bit of a tough run recently. It's frustrating but we've got to be able to deal with it better, we've got the quality to do it.

"We were a bit slow, a bit laboured. I don't think that we moved the ball quickly enough or moved them around enough and only made one or two chances. Stevenage had the better opportunities."

Simon Weaver’s Harrogate side have undoubtedly exceeded expectations so far this season. However, they will be hoping for a better result on Saturday when they travel to basement boys Oldham Athletic.

The verdict

Harrogate were fortune to draw against Stevenage despite being favourites, given the chances the visitors had.

With Armstrong suggesting that Boro set up to frustrate the Sulphurites, this might become something they will have to try and overcome regularly after the start they’ve made.

Weaver’s men will have to find a way to break teams down if that is the case.