Halifax Town were forced to settle for a 0 v 0 draw against Stafford Rangers at The Shay after a stuttering performance that lacked cohesion.But, they could have won the game in the second half through Adam Quinn or Jon Shaw who both had decent opportunities to turn one point into three.

Flowing football was impossible on a muddy and bumpy pitch that held a Rugby League game less than 24 hours earlier but Chris Wilder will feel his side should have won the game.

A rare clean sheet is a bonus though with Gareth Davies and Tom Clarke enjoying competent debuts but Stafford, under new Manger Steve Bull, offered little attacking threat. These were the only changes to last weeks line up although Adam Quinn did make the starting eleven despite being a midweek doubt after an injection.

Simon Heslop took 13 seconds to have a shot but Danny Alcock was untroubled and the pattern was repeated with another shot 12 minutes later.Craig Nelthorpe's corner was headed across goal by Jon Shaw but it was too high for Nathan Joynes and Stafford cleared.Nelthorpe then shot over from the left side of the penalty area as Town pressed and it took a fine tip over by Alcock to deny Shaw a 20th minute goal when he was set up for a 20 yard shot by Joynes.Alcock saved a Tom Kearney shot then Joynes headed a Kearney corner narrowly wide.

The visitors were forced into changes with Steve Hopkinson and Marco Adaggio hobbling off and the first half ended all square.

Andy Campbell replaced Joynes for the second half and The Shaymen could have found themselves a goal down 5 minutes later with the unmarked Damien Jarrett miskicking 12 yards from goal.A succession of Town corners failed to produce a chance.

Referee Webb waved away strong penalty claims on 59 minutes.Heslop sent Davies away on the right and Shaw looked to be fouled on the near post as he went to meet the cross but the official ruled there was no infringement.He did award a free kick 30 yards out in a central position and Town worked the ball to the left for Nelthorpe to cross, Quinn's head got to the ball a split second before Alcock but his header went agonisingly wide.

Lewis Killeen replaced Anthony Griffith on the hour mark and was involved in the move that resulted in Campbell feeding Shaw who drew the keeper but his left foot shot rebounded off the post.Keeper Alcock turned Tom Clarke's header over the bar and Campbell glanced another Nelthorpe free kick wide.

A Stafford corner eluded everyone in the penalty area and Kevin Street had a late change but Adam Legzdins saved to his right.

The Referee's final whistle signalled the end of a hugely disappointing game for the 1103 spectators and it is those from Staffordshire who will be the happier tonight.

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