Decisions on their availability for next week's away trip to Northland in Whangarei won't be made until Monday.
First five-eighth Ihaia West was the Magpies player-of-the-match with some superb game management, variation and a 100 per cent success rate at goal. Captain and hooker Ash Dixon was close behind.
Philpott said his coaching staff ranked loosehead prop Jason Long as their player-of-the-match for the manner in which he fought back after a couple of losses at scrum time to gain some parity and he scored a crucial try.
Dixon said he was proud of the effort and pointed out there was a great shift across the team.
"We improved a lot of the areas which required attention. We didn't get the win but it was a step in the right direction," he added.
North Harbour co-captain and hooker James Parsons deserves praise for his honesty.
"We didn't deserve it but good sides win ugly. We're lacking urgency and spark and that's something we need to look at."
Magpies winger Mason Emerson again boxed above his weight and was always a threat on attack. After a week with the Saracens, fullback Tiaan Falcon produced a memorable return with some quality defensive work, safe hands under the high ball and some constructive attacks.
Substitute midfielder Pasqualle Dunn had his best outing in the Magpies jersey.
North Harbour first five-eighth Bryn Gatland and winger Matt Duffie had memorable moments in the hosts' backline.
The Magpies scrambling defence functioned well during the first 18 minutes. Harbour opened the scoring with a handy penalty from Gatland in the sixth minute. The Magpies replied with a try to Dixon in the eighth minute.
It followed a well-controlled lineout move and good work from No8 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u. Maori All Black West added the conversion and the Magpies had an early 7-3 lead.
Taranaki referee Richard Kelly awarded a penalty try to North Harbour in the 19th minute. Two minutes later West kicked a handy penalty and the score was 10-all.
Gatland succeeded with a penalty from 45 metres out in the 22nd minute to put the hosts back in front. The entertaining topsy turvy nature of the match continued when Magpies winger Cardiff Vaega scored in the 26th minute after some spectacular handling and passing from the Magpies with Dixon rampant. West added the extras and the Magpies retained this 17-13 lead until halftime.
The Magpies had every right to be proud of their first half effort. It was achieved with just 41 per cent of the territory and 37 per cent of the possession.
The visitors missed 10 tackles in the first half, the same amount as Harbour. Former Magpies co-coach Tom Coventry, who is now the Harbour head coach, obviously delivered the right words at halftime.
His troops won a tighthead in the 43rd minute and a couple of phases later fullback Shaun Stevenson scored off a lucky grubber kick. Gatland added the conversion and Harbour led 20-17.
The Magpies replied with a try to Long after some accurate close range pick and go play which followed a clever break from second five-eighth Richard Buckman. West again converted.
Harbour No8 Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a was sinbinned for his second high tackle in the 60th minute and West kicked the penalty to put the Magpies ahead 27-20. Some poor defensive work from the Magpies allowed Harbour co-captain Duffie to score in the 62nd minute and Gatland again converted.
Gatland and West traded penalties in the 71st and 75th minutes respectively before Gatland, who like West finished the match with six successes from as many attempts at goal, had the final say with a matchwinning penalty in the 77th minute.
Philpott agreed if his troops can maintain last night's tempo there is no reason why the Magpies can't win their remaining two matches.
Match highlights:
■Heartstopper: When North Harbour's scrum won a tighthead in the 43rd minute. It wasn't the start to the second spell the Magpies deserved.
■Turning point: When Harbour pivot Bryn Gatland kicked his 77th-minute penalty to secure the victory. This thrilling spectacle could have gone either way until then.
■Player of the match: Magpies first five-eighth Ihaia West. Six successes from as many attempts at goal. Superb game management and variation. Magpies captain Ash Dixon and Gatland were other contenders.
■Scorers: North Harbour 33 (Shaun Stevenson, Matt Duffie, penalty try, tries; Bryn Gatland 4 pens, 2 cons) Hawke's Bay 30 (Ash Dixon, Cardiff Vaega, Jason Long tries; Ihaia West 3 pens, 3 cons ).
HT: Magpies 17-13.
