Manager Tony Joynes was dealt a blow in the build-up, as the familiar theme of unavailability left the side threadbare with Sam Gregory the only named substitute.
The Blues came into the fixture four points behind Harworth, meaning a win would have given them a huge boost in their pursuit of a top three finish.
They started brightly, as Sam Wilford muscled his way through the defence, but his finish lacked power and was easily held by Mark Latham. Dom Swingler also saw an early volley fly wide of the goal.
Harworth applied more pressure as the half progressed, and should have taken the lead when Jonny Bownes was left unmarked in a great position. He couldn’t keep his composure as the ball got stuck under his feet before Newark eventually cleared.
Chris Riley was called into action on a number of occasions in an entertaining first half, impressively denying a Bownes effort which was headed towards the bottom corner.
Newark were awarded a penalty minutes before the break as Chris Dobbie was chopped down by Martyn Gee. Alex Hales stepped up and confidently dispatched his spot kick into the top corner.
James Munson came close to doubling the Blues advantage at the start of the second half after being played through on goal. However he couldn’t direct his effort past Latham who produced a good save from close range.
The turning point was the addition of two attacking Harworth substitutes, allowing the visitors to cause fresh problems for Newark’s tiring defenders. They equalised almost immediately, as Gee headed home a curling Greg Fox free kick.
The complexion of the match had completely changed as the visitors seemed to be threatening with every attack. There was an air of inevitability about the equaliser, with Billy Hurst unfortunate to deflect a dangerous Gareth Sides cross into his own net.
Instead of letting their heads drop Newark were quick to respond. Barely a minute had elapsed before they had drawn level with James Munson sliding in at the far post after Dom Swingler had played the ball across the area.
Their joy was short lived, however, as Harworth took the lead for the second time just moments later. Sides broke through on goal but his initial shot was blocked. Sam West collected the ball and kept his composure, lobbing over Riley with the ball bouncing over the line off the underside of the bar.
Newark were unable to lift themselves once again in pursuit of a late equaliser, with the defeat putting another dent in their aspirations of a top four finish.
After the match Tony Joynes paid tributes to the efforts of his team, but bemoaned the fact that he was once again let down by late withdrawals.
He said: “It was a good battle. I think the first goal for them was the turning point, it was the silliest one to concede leaving him unmarked.
“The way we pulled it back to 2-2 shows the character that the lads have got. Ultimately I’m disappointed with the lads that haven’t turned up today.
“When two or three lads let you down before kick-off there isn’t a lot you can do. You need 14 players to really compete at this level.”
REPORT BY RICK LANE