TOWN'S leading scorer bagged 27 goals last season and at Wetherby Road served notice he's hungry for more with a four-goal haul.

The 23-year-old tortured Neil Aspin's Conference side with his workrate, clever running and, most of all, his brilliant finishing.

His first goal, on 13 minutes, was a cool sidefoot finish from Martin McIntosh's excellent through ball while the second, just five minutes later, was a trademark chip over the keeper from a Jon Worthington flick through which flat-footed the home defence.

Abbott added a header for good measure to complete a first-half hat trick on 41 minutes, glancing Andy Holdsworth's free-kick past keeper Matt Taylor, and only four minutes of the second half had elapsed when he scored No4 - breezing onto Andy Booth's curling pass to clip a right-foot drive into the corner of the net in the most nonchalant of styles.

It was impressive stuff, but Abbott was not the only one to shine.

McIntosh showed all the experience of his 34 years in guiding the defence against a Harrogate attack including ex-Oldham frontman John Eyre (for the first half).

Former Rotherham defender McIntosh won everything in the air - as did Nathan Clarke on his return from a thigh strain - and prompted some lively attacks with good passing.

Danny Adams' crossing was also a positive feature - he provided Clarke with a cracking header with just 85 seconds on the clock - while skipper Worthington caught the eye with his industry in midfield.

His tackling eventually earned a strong word from Halifax referee Dave Richardson, but his ball-winning and passing was at the hub of many of Town's best moves and his forward running also caused the home defence plenty of problems.

While Abbott captured all the attention up front, manager Peter Jackson was able to send on Booth for John McAliskey at half time and the club's senior striker had a very encouraging workout.

Not only did he tee up Abbott's fourth goal but he went close to scoring himself in the 77th minute.

The chance came from the best move of the match - 10 passes involving six different players and finished with a perfect cross from Adams which invited Booth's eight-yard header.

He made an excellent contact, too, but Taylor was up to the task and made a magnificent save.

By that stage, Harrogate were starting to make inroads at the other end, especially through their impressive substitute Chris Coupe whose pace and skill brought a new dimension to the game.

Coupe shot just over the bar and brought a fine diving save from Paul Rachubka, and he was finally rewarded for his work with a goal in the penultimate minute. Town's back line, for once, went to sleep and were caught square by a through ball from Sam Denton which put Coupe in the clear.

He took just one touch as Rachubka advanced quickly from his line and had enough angle to score with ease and rob Town of a first clean sheet of pre-season.

That mistake cost the players dearly after the final whistle as they were forced into a series of tough shuttle runs up the length of the pitch as a punishment, although they had Rachubka to thank for a superb first-half save for not conceding earlier.

It was a tremendous effort from striker Gareth Grant, whose 17th-minute bicycle kick seemed destined for the top corner, but Rachubka somehow managed to fingertip the ball over the top.

Harrogate Town - Taylor, Dunning (Preston 77), Ryan, Denton, Stoneman, Ellerker (Naylor 54), Lennon, Hunter, Grant, Eyres (Coupe HT), Price (J). Subs not used: Arthurs, Philpott, Price (M) (Gkp).

Town - Rachubka, Holdsworth, Adams, Worthington, McIntosh (McCombe 64), Clarke (N), Collins, Mirfin, Abbott, Schofield, McAliskey (Booth HT). Subs not used: Hardy, Senior, Young.

Referee - Dave Richardson (Halifax).