Halifax Town Boss Chris Wilder emerged from a dressing room inquest that lasted until just after 7pm still baffled as to how his side crumbled to a 3 v 0 defeat at home to Oxford United after controlling the first 30 minutes of the game.During that period The Shaymen played some excellent flowing football, created chances, hit the post twice and looked certainties to win an important 3 points.
But a needless 37th minute penalty gave Oxford the initiative and they controlled the second half, limiting the Town attack that was without the injured Jon Shaw by this stage to a minimal number of chances.
Santos Gaia made his home debut and Town reverted to the 3-5-2 formation that has served them well in recent weeks.But, they could have been a goal down within seconds as Phil Trainer skipped away from Gareth Davies and crossed for Justin Richards but his glancing header was off target.
A foul on Lewis Killeen on the left gave Simon Heslop a shooting opportunity from a free kick and his powerful 25 yarder hit the side netting with Keeper Billy Turley well beaten.Town continued to attack with Danny Forrest releasing Killeen and he slotted the ball past Turley but unfortunately for him the ball hit the post.Matt Doughty curled a right foot shot wide and the afternoon looked promising for The Shaymen.
Simon Heslop latched onto a Jon Shaw header and surged into the penalty area but his cross went across the face of goal eluding the strikers.Jon Shaw received the ball 20 yards from goal after a flowing move involving Killeen, Davies and Anthony Griffith.He could have played in Doughty but opted to shoot and the post denied the top scorer his 23rd goal of the season.
A Town goal looked on the cards at any moment but it was Oxford who stunned the home fans by taking a 37th minute lead.Simon Heslop lost possession in midfield, Oxford surged forward but Matt Green appeared to be going nowhere until Adam Legzdins fouled the Striker and Adam Murray made no mistake.
The second half began badly for The Shaymen when Jon Shaw limped from the field with an ankle injury.Andy Campbell took his place and the change resulted in Danny Forrest occupying a central role.And he almost equalised when he received the ball from Campbell, turned his man but Turley smothered his shot.
The pace of Eddie Anaclet caused problems and he raced away in the 57th minute.His low cross found Justin Richards at the near post whose touch may have lacked power but the ball evaded Legzdins and nestled in the corner of the net to double the Oxford advantage.
Town lost their way, passes went astray and individual battles were lost.Daryl Taylor replaced Jake Wright with Town adopting a 4-4-2 formation but it failed to open up the visitors defence.Legzdins saved form Richards and Matt Green shot over form inside the 6 yard box.
Oxford extended their lead again on 84 minutes.A neat move worked a crossing position for Anaclet on the right and Santos Gaia turned the ball past his own keeper to complete an afternoon of woe for The Shaymen.
A dressing room inquest that lasted over 2 hours followed and Chris Wilder will be hoping his side can travel to Droylsden on Monday and take the 3 points.
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