Halifax Town 1 AFC Telford 1 - Report and pictures

The Bucks appeared on course for a cracker of a result prior to Christmas as Joe Fitzpatrick's spectacular strike put them ahead after 82 minutes.

Deep into the fourth of the five additional minutes though, Halifax equalised as Josh Wilde netted from six yards out.

Analysis

The first half was played at a pedestrian pace and there were no chances for either side. Most of Telford's passes were going astray while Halifax were constantly lumping the ball into the box in search of Tom Denton, with no success.

The only talking point at the interval was the lack of discipline on show - the Bucks had three players booked, and the hosts one.

Ben O'Hanlon was the first name in referee Paul brown's book after he slid in late on Shaymen shot-stopper Steven Drench after 17 minutes.

A bit of pushing ensued following the challenge; the home supporters were calling for a red card but the youngster was shown a yellow.

Midfield duo Jack Rea and Jonathan Royle then picked bookings in the 39th and 41st minute respectively, after Shaymen enforcer David Lynch was cautioned.

If the aim of Rob Smith's charges in the opening 45 was to slow down play and frustrate the home side, they certainly succeeded in doing so.

The intensity lifted for a brief period after the interval, with Halifax attempting to pile on the pressure, but the second period was much the same as the first until Fitzpatrick's stunner.

Halifax's Matty Kosylo had a good opportunity in the 74rd minute. He went through on goal, unchallenged, but James Montgomery stood tall to make the save and Luca Havern was booked shortly after.

Eight minutes after that impressive piece of goalkeeping, Fitzpatrick's stunner from 25 yards out flashed into the top corner, leaving Drench helpless.

All Telford needed to do was make sure they remained solid at the back in the closing stages, but they were caught out as Wilde stabbed home from close range deep into stoppage time.

Key moments

17 - Telford full-back Ben O'Hanlon picks up a booking for a late, sliding challenge on Halifax goalkeeper Steven Drench. Calls from the Shaymen supporters for a red card to be shown are ignored, and it appeared to be the right decision.

34 - Halifax midfielder is the second player to be cautioned by referee Paul Brown after fouling John-Paul Kissock near to the centre circle.

39 - Jack Rea is shown a yellow after a harsh tackle on Jake Hibbs, who had a short spell on loan at Telford last season.

41 - The fourth yellow card of the first period goes to Jonathan Royle. Still no chances for either team in what has been an uneventful first period.

45 - Telford have the ball in the net but referee Brown awards a free-kick to the home side. Bradley Reid nudged Drench, causing the keeper to spill the ball out of both his hands and across the line.

73 - Halifax have an effort on target. Danny Clarke's clever pass finds Matty Kosylo, who burst in the area and drills the ball low, into the arms of Telford goalkeeper James Montgomery.

74 - Big chance for the home side. Kosylo beats the offside trap and goes through one-on-one but Montgomery stands tall to make an important save.

82 - GOAL! Telford go 1-0 up through an absolute beauty of a strike from Joe Fitzpatrick. Following a corner, the ball drops at the feet of the young midfielder and he unleashes a fierce drive into the top corner from 25 yards out.

90 - GOAL! Halifax make it 1-1 with almost the last kick of the afternoon. Josh Wilde stabs the ball home from close range after Lynch's initial shot was blocked.

Teams

Halifax (4-2-3-1): Drench; Roberts (c), Garner, Hotte, Wilde; Lynch, Hibbs; Kosylo, Clarke, Simmons (Macdonald, 64); Denton. Subs not used: Hone, Moyo, King, Nicholson (gk).

Telford (4-3-3): Montgomery; Samuels, Havern (c), Bailey, O'Hanlon; Rea, Royle (Fitzpatrick, 56), Wilson; Kissock, Reid (Hibbert, 68), Hodge (McCarthy, 75). Subs not used: Reynolds, Cowan.

Position in the table

16th (22 points from 21 games)