FC Halifax Town's unbeaten run ended in dramatic fashion as they lost 3-2 to Barrow at The Shay on Tuesday night. The hosts threw away a two-goal lead, conceding three times in the final 16 minutes to suffer their second home league defeat of the season. This result on Tuesday 27 October leaves the club eighth in the National League with 21 points from a record of six wins, three draws and five losses.
Ben Tollitt had put Halifax in complete control with two excellent finishes. He opened the scoring in the 29th minute, finishing superbly after a pass from Cian Carty. Tollitt doubled the advantage just after the hour mark, latching onto a cross from Charlie Johnson. At that stage, the six-match unbeaten streak looked secure.
But the game turned on its head in a frantic final period. Barrow pulled a goal back through Sam Thompson in the 74th minute. The equaliser came seven minutes later from Isaac Cameron, before the same player completed the stunning comeback in the second minute of added time. Manager John McGrath was left bitterly disappointed by the collapse.
McGrath criticises mentality
McGrath said his team failed to stand up to the test after taking the lead. "We melted," the manager stated.
He added that the nature of the defeat was particularly hard to take, feeling his side missed a key opportunity. The result leaves Halifax in eighth place in the National League table with 21 points from 14 games. Their recent form, which had been strong with three wins and a draw in the previous four league matches, now reads as a loss and a draw. Their form over the last five games across all competitions is three wins, one draw and one loss, following victories over South Shields, Stoke City U21, Gateshead and Solihull Moors and a draw with Southend.
The defeat also means the gap to the top of the table extends to 17 points, with leaders Boreham Wood pulling clear. Halifax have scored 24 goals this season but conceded 17, a defensive record that will concern McGrath after this late capitulation. They face another tough test immediately, with sixth-placed Yeovil Town visiting The Shay this Saturday 31 October.
Before the collapse, Tollitt's performance was the bright spot. His double took his tally for the campaign and he was named man of the match. In contrast, the team's designated top scorer this season, S. Johnson, has yet to find the net in ten appearances. The defeat halts momentum ahead of a key period, with Halifax needing to respond quickly against Yeovil.
More detail at Halifax Courier
