Shay pitch under fire from Aspin

FC Halifax Town chief Neil Aspin insisted The Shay pitch played its part in his side’s frustrating 0-0 draw with 10-man Dartford.
Neil AspinNeil Aspin
Neil Aspin

Halifax failed to score for the third consecutive game and came up against a stubborn Dartford side as well as an awful playing surface.

Aspin said: “I’m the manager and I’ll accept criticism if the team’s not playing well but to try and play at any tempo on that surface, you just can’t do it.

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“It’s virtually impossible so when you get a sending-off and two banks of four it becomes very difficult.”

Dartford captain Lee Burns was dismissed after 20 minutes after taking out Richard Peniket, who was racing clear on goal following a lovely through ball by Scott Boden.

From the resulting free-kick, Peniket sent a swirling shot just over the bar.

Boden might have done better when he scuffed his shot after a super pass from James Bolton. Danny Hattersley also went close with a header.

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FC Halifax Town: Glennon, Bolton, M Roberts, Hutchison, McManus, Pearson (Hatfield 74), Schofield, Muldoon (Maynard 62), Peniket, Hattersley (Jackson 46), Boden. Unused substitutes: Senior, K Roberts.

Dartford: Ibrahim, Pugh (Crawford 49) (Daley 90), Noble, Green, Sweeney, Burns, McAuley, Harris, Richards, Doidge (Driver 24), Dallison. Unused substitutes: Collier, Kessell.

Referee: B Toner (Lancashire).

Man of the match: Richard Peniket.

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