Second half goals from Darryn Stamp and Adam Quinn have given Halifax Town a huge chance of avoiding relegation and only one further point is required at home to Stevenage Borough on Saturday.And that is assuming the results of 5 other games go against The Shaymen.
The bottom end of The Conference is tight and Town could still finish as high as 14th in the table.But, Manager Chris Wilder has warned against complacency and warns that his players and fans must focus on Saturday's game.
With Andy Campbell and Shane Smeltz serving suspensions Wilder was forced into changes again and paired Danny Forrest with Stamp up front.This lasted 22 minutes before Forrest was forced to leave the field with a hamstring injury.Gus Uhlenbeek replaced him and Lewis Killeen moved forward.At the back Adam Quinn returned to give an inspirational performance alongside Neal Trotman who was in commanding form again.
Crawley only needed a point to ensure survival and they were intent on giving nothing away with two banks of four players and a huge gap to the front met who chased and harried every ball forward.They had penalty claims in the opening minutes after Tony Scully went down under Steve Haslam's challenge but Referee Mr Waugh was having none of it.
Town responded with shots from Steve Torpey and Killeen before Tyrone Thompson headed Torpey's cross over the bar form close range.But, despite enjoying the bulk of the possession The Shaymen were unable to create much in the way of clear cut chances in the first half.
After the break it was a different story with wave after wave of attacks.Wide men Uhlenbeek and Torpey enjoyed plenty of space in which to operate with Killeen linking up the play.Torpey's run and cross on the left was cleared to Matt Doughty and his precision cross was the type of service Darryn Stamp thrives on and the ex Stevenage & Chester frontman showed his prowess with a thumping header that game Ben Hamer in the Visitors goal no chance.Stamp ran to the fans to celebrate, Referee Mr Waugh pettily booked both the scorer and Tyrone Thompson,
Gus Uhlenbeek showed superb pace as he broke from his own half and crossed for Killeen but his shot was blocked then Town worked a shooting opportunity for Torpey and his thunderbolt shot missed the target by inches.
The second goal wasn't long in coming.Torpey's corner on the left was met by Adam Quinn's head and the ball nestled in the back of the net for a 2 goal lead and the big defender had his second goal of the season.
Crawley threw men forward and Chris Wilder responded by introducing Ryan Toulson as a striker and Greg Strong.
With four minutes of added time signalled Crawley pulled a consolation goal back, Tony Scully chipping Mawson from the edge of the penalty area but whilst there were plenty of nerves on the terraces in the finals seconds the Players kept theirs and deservedly record a victory that is potentially massive.
And, a further point at home to Stevenage Borough on Saturday will ensure survival. Cheer the lads on for the final time this season; be there at The Shay, 3pm.
