If points were awarded for effort and determination Chris Wilder and his players would be heading back up the M1 with all 3 tonight.But, the game is about who scores the most goals and Burton scored two with The Shaymen replying through Darryn Stamp but the scoreline does not tell the entire story of this match.
The Blue Square Premier deserves decent match officials and Mr D Coote was simply not up to scratch.Four yellow cards and a red car for Halifax Town players did not endear him to the 200 plus Shay fans and his unwillingness to penalise Burton players left many speechless.Simon Ainge saw red for 2 cautions in the second half and from then on The Brewers took control of the game.
Town started with a 4-3-3 formation with Danny Forrest and Daryl Taylor looking to support Jon Shaw up front on his return to the Pirelli Stadium.And it was Taylor in particular who troubled the home defence in the first period.
There were few chances of note in the opening period but Adam Quinn picked up a caution for a foul.Taylor signalled his threat on the right when he surged away from his marker but his inviting cross was just behind Shaw and moments later another run almost set up Forrest.
Daryl Clare was Burton's threat and appeared to receive a free kick at will. From one of these he worked a one two with Marc Goodfellow but Jake Wright managed to deflect the ball away for a corner.
Daryl Taylor had the ball in the net in the 29th minute when he lobbed Kevin Poole from the edge of the area only to be denied by a horrendously late flag from the Assistant Referee. Danny Forrest received lengthy treatment after a waist high challenge that went unpunished then Town almost took the lead.A ball into the box by Simon Heslop was headed on by Shaw to Taylor and he poked out a foot with the crossbar denying him his second goal in a Halifax Town shirt.The half ended without a goal and Town headed for the dressing rooms confident of a positive result.
Simon Heslop received a yellow card seconds into the second period to add to Quinn's earlier on and Jake Wright's just before the interval.
Town forced a couple of corners on their right and from the second Simon Ainge forced Poole into a finger tip save.But the Daryl Clare influence was growing and he tested Adam Legzdins on a couple of occasions that the keeper was equal to.
Darryn Stamp replaced a tiring Daryl Taylor then Simon Ainge received a caution for a foul on Clare in a dangerous position.Clare stepped up to curl the ball over the wall but Legzdins denied him with a superb save.Ainge fouled Clare again and received the inevitable red card. With Town down to 10 men Burton capitalised and took the lead when Clare controlled a cross, turned sharply and fired home from 12 yards.
Town tried their best to respond but fell further behind when Marc Goodfellow latched onto a pass 25 yards form goal and curled a left footed shot into the top corner to give the hosts a flattering 2 goal lead.
Darryn Stamp pulled a goal back in the 89th minute when he headed home a far post cross but the game ended 2 v 1 to Burton.The effort of Chris Wilder's team cannot be doubted and more of the same should bring its rewards at home to Champions Aldershot at The Shay on Saturday.
