The vast majority of the 1545 spectators that attended this afternoon's game against Blue Square Champions Aldershot Town will have left The Shay wondering how this game ended 0 v 0.The point, coupled with other results, sees Halifax Town remain in the bottom four but there are high grounds for optimism that relegation can be avoided with similar performances in the final 2 games of the season.

Both sides had chances and there were some amazing misses with the awful Shay surface playing a part and preventing flowing football.But both teams should be commended on the entertainment they served up.

Town threatened as early as the 4^th minute when Danny Forrest latched onto a loose ball, found Darryn Stamp who set up Lewis Killeen but his shot was blocked and trickled through to The Shots keeper Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz.Simon Heslop then tried his luck from a narrow angle but the keeper saved again.

Ex Shayman John Grant led Aldershot's attack and he drew a foul from Adam Quinn 25 yards out to gain a free kick which Ryan Williams curled wide of Adam Legzdins post.Town countered with Heslop linking with Forrest on the right before cutting infield but his shot cleared the bar.

Darryn Stamp had a header saved in the 33^rd minute and will feel he should have given The Shaymen the lead four minutes later when he escaped his marker to get on the end of a Santos Gaia free kick.His first time shot hit the keeper rather than him saving it and the ball deflected over the bar for a corner.

Town had an escape 3 minutes before the interval.A right wing corner was flicked on and John Grant appeared to have the simplest of takes to score another goal of a productive season but Legzdins somehow pulled off a reflex save.And in first half stoppage time Tom Kearney received the ball from a short corner and curled a left foot shot just wide of the target.

Matt Doughty replaced Santos Gaia at the start of the second half forcing Jake Wright infield to centre half and within seconds Town Could have taken the lead through a Stamp header but it was cleared off the line.Lewis Killeen failed to connect with a diving header from an Anthony Griffith cross then another Stamp header failed to trouble Jamiez-Ruiz.

A double substitution by Aldershot boss Gary Waddock almost paid immediate dividends when Joel Grant worked a shooting opportunity but Legzdins saved.Chris Wilder introduced Darryl Taylor in place of Danny Forrest and his direct running caused problems for left back Anthony Straker.

Town had a fortunate let off in the 65^th minute when Legzdins was unable to deal with a back pass and John Grant looked to have an easy goal but resolute defending saved The Shaymen.And Legzdins was in action a minute later turning a Rob Elvins shot over the bar.If Town rode their luck on this occasion The Shots rode theirs a few minutes later when Matt Doughty crossed and Jon Shaw headed goal wards forcing a save.The ball came out to Killeen but his shot was blocked on the line.

Simon Heslop picked out Taylor on the right and his run ended in a shot that rebounded off the keeper but away from Shaw.Another Stamp header was cleared then Andy Campbell, who replaced Killeen, crossed from the left but couldn't pick out a Town striker.Jon Shaw latched onto a through ball but couldn't beat an inspired Aldershot keeper and try as they might The Shaymen could not find that elusive goal.

The team now head to Crawley Town on Tuesday evening looking for 3 points.