Liam Feeney's second half strike was enough to condemn Halifax Town to a single goal defeat away to Salisbury City to extend The Shaymen's miserable Christmas.
On a wind swept afternoon in Wiltshire good football was almost impossible but both teams tried to play a passing game.As expected Chris Wilder made changes from the team that faced Farsley.In came Matt Doughty at left back with Jake Wright partnering Rob Scott at centre half.Daryl Taylor and Lewis Killeen took the wide berths in a 5 man midfield with Jon Shaw ploughing a lone furrow up front.
Salisbury had the early pressure but confident defending and secure handling from Adam Legzdins kept them at bay.Fussy and at times bizarre referee Turner yellow carded home skipper Robinson and Anthony Griffith in the first 10 minutes.Andy Sandell dragged an 18 yard shot wide and then missed an 18th minute penalty.
A throw in caused a scramble in the Town box and Matt Doughty was harshly adjudged to have handled despite being 1 yard from the Salisbury players shot.Justice was done as Legzdins saved to his right and Jake Wright cleared the rebound off the goal line.
Lewis Killeen almost worked a shooting opportunity for Simon Heslop as Town responded and Salisbury were thankful for a reflex save at his near post from Keeper Ryan Clarke in the 29th minute when Heslop guided a Daryl Taylor cross towards goal. Anthony Griffith then broke from midfield but couldn't find Killeen with his pass.
Taylor limped from the field, the victim of a cynical tackle from behind that wasn't a foul in the Referee's opinion and on came Nick Gray.Clarke saved comfortably from Killeen and the first half ended all square.
A tepid start to the second period produced little in the way of goal mouth action.Two free kicks were wasted by poor delivery and on the hour mark Salisbury introduced 2 substitutes who brought more life and mobility to their attack.
Again stout defending prevented a clear chance and on attack Nick Gray tested Clarke at his near post but the killer moment came in the 76 minute.Substitute Matty Tubbs broke on the right and his square pass eluded the Town defence and Feeney netted with an 18 yard shot that gave Legzdins no chance.
Darryn Stamp replaced Griffith as Town looked for an equaliser.Stamp went down in the box but there was no foul and little in the way of a clear scoring opportunity.
Town may well look back on this as a point dropped.The effort and endeavour cannot be criticised today and on another day Town may well have returned North with a share of the points.
Who was your man of the match, text the surname to 88442 before 12pm tomorrow. Let us know your thoughts on the official Halifax Town messageboard.
