After a quiet opening with the teams trading corners, Gary Hay had a good chance in the ninth minute when Mark Branch’s clearance beat the last defender, but the forward was slow to react and the Town defence cleared.

The visitors looked the stronger side as the half progressed, NATHAN TAYLOR and Scot Metcalf enjoying several chances at the front, and it was the former who scored the opener on 20 minutes when he side-footed a cross from the left into the roof of the net.

Chasetown had a chance to strike back six minutes later but keeper Jonathan Hedge pushed Branch’s free kick over the bar, and Halifax’s attackers continued to impress with Taylor forcing Price into a double save on 36 minutes after Metcalf had hit the side netting.

Half time: Chasetown 0 FC Halifax Town 1

If Halifax had had the better of the first half, the home side were definitely on top throughout the second. Substitute Grant Ryan was straight on the attack but his shot was smothered by Hedge, while Teesdale was still working hard to stop Taylor’s repeated attacks.

The equaliser came just after the hour mark when a good cross from young gun Jack Farmer found substitute GARY BIRCH unmarked and he fired home from eight yards to bring the Scholars level.

Ryan found a further chance two minutes later but his shot was cleared off the line, and Halifax showed signs of a revival following a quieter time of it in the second half. Price was again called into action on 70 minutes as Taylor and Metcalf again combined well, but the home keeper pushed the final cross out for a corner.

Ryan went close again after chesting down a fine ball from Danny Smith, but his left-footed shot was held by Hedge before play again switched to the other end, two shots from the Shaymen blocked by the defence.

Six minutes from time it was another Chasetown substitute who found the winner. A Gavin Saunders cross was nodded to John Branch who mistimed his shot, but BEN JEVONS picked up the loose ball and smashed it into the roof of the net from the edge of the area to seal a fine comeback victory.

Chasetown: Price, Farmer, M Branch, Cohen, Saunders, Teesdale (c), D Smith, J Branch, Hay, Perrow, Swann-Horler. Subs: Ryan (Perrow 41), Stephens, Peel, Birch (Hay 51), Jevons (Swann-Horler 75).

Halifax: Hedge, Plummer, Bower (c), Baker, Riley, Hogan, Gray, Winter, Holland, Taylor, Metcalf. Subs: Senior, Phelan, Marshal (Holland 70), Garner.

Goals: Taylor 20, Birch 61, Jevons 84.

Referee: Mr M S Perry.

Attendance: 611