FC Halifax 2 Chester City 1: Aspin’s men turning the Shay into fortress

The Shaymen have collected 19 points from a possible 21 at home and goals from Lee Gregory and Marc Roberts either side of Gareth Seddon’s effort against his former club gave them victory on Saturday.

The Halifax chief said it was important his team returned to winning ways after losing 2-0 at Kidderminster last Tuesday, and reflected: “It was vital we got the win.

“It’s not the best we’ve played this season by any means but I’m delighted to get the three points.

“I thought Chester pushed us back after we got the first goal and caused us problems.

“I thought we were poor defensively and we needed to be a lot tighter in the second half, but there weren’t a lot of opportunities for either side.”

Halifax got off to the perfect start when Gregory scrambled the ball over the line despite Chester goalkeeper John Danby’s best efforts after Simon Ainge’s nod down from a corner.

Chester rallied after their early setback and drew level when Danny Higginbotham’s header from a corner was nodded in by Seddon, who had seen a shot brilliantly saved by Matt Glennon.

Glennon then produced a fine double save from Craig Lindfield as the visitors pressed home their superiority before the interval.

A double substitution at half-time by Aspin helped swing the game back in favour of the home side, who tested Danby when Gregory produced a superb shot on the turn which was tipped over.

From the resulting corner, Roberts rose highest to head his first goal for the club and seal a sixth home win out of seven.

FC Halifax Town: Glennon, Toulson, Ainge, Roberts, McManus, Smith, Pearson, Maynard (Marshall 46), Wilson (McReady 46), Gardner (Carver 77), Gregory. Unused substitutes: Senior, Lowe.

Chester City: Danby, Kay, Heath, Horan (Linwood 57), Harrison, Lindfield (Mahon 73), L Turner, N Turner, Higginbotham, Seddon (Mills 67), Titchiner. Unused substitutes: Chippendale, Jarrett.

Referee: P Bankes (Merseyside).

Man of the match: Marc Roberts.