FC Halifax Town lost a dramatic National League Cup group game 4-3 to Nottingham Forest U21 after conceding a 98th-minute winner on Tuesday. The Shaymen staged a stirring comeback from 3-1 down but were undone by Bradshaw's stoppage-time strike.
Forest's youngsters took a seventh-minute lead through Samuels before Smith doubled it from the penalty spot. An own goal from a Forest defender just before half-time gave Halifax hope, only for Powell to restore the visitors' two-goal cushion with another spot-kick early in the second half.
Fightback falls short
Gilsenan pulled one back for Halifax in the 67th minute, and Morgan-Smith completed the turnaround with an equaliser nine minutes later. The home side, who sit 10th in the National League with 24 points from 16 games, pushed for a winner but were caught on the break deep into added time. Bradshaw finished from close range after a pass from McClure to seal the points for Forest.
The match was a physical affair, with Halifax receiving four yellow cards. Will Hugill and Gilsenan were among those cautioned, while Forest's Whitehall and Sutton were also booked.
This result follows a mixed run of form for Halifax, who had won two of their last five league games before this cup tie. Their recent form in the league shows two wins, one draw and two losses, including a 2-0 victory over Yeovil Town last Saturday. Their next match is a league fixture away to Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday 14 November. Kidderminster are currently 13th in the table, three points behind Halifax. The team's top scorer this season is S. Johnson, who has yet to find the net in ten appearances. Fans can view the full fixtures schedule on the club site. The referee for the Forest game was Stuart Morland, with the attendance recorded at 236.
Halifax had several chances to take the lead after their equaliser, with a header from a corner flashing wide and a low shot from the edge of the box being well saved by the Forest goalkeeper. The decisive goal came against the run of play in the final moments of the eight minutes of added time. Forest U21 now top their National League Cup group with two wins from two matches, while Halifax have lost their opening game in the competition. The club confirmed after the match that defender Jack Senior was absent due to a minor hamstring strain, with his fitness to be assessed ahead of the weekend.
