As promising as Saturday’s display had been, this had all the signs of a side heading for the Blue Square Premier trapdoor.
And even the most optimistic fan would struggle to find an argument that suggested the Shaymen will get out of the bottom four by the end of the month.
There are still six games to go and their rivals remain within touching distance.
But any more of the ineptitude shown last night, in the first half in particular, and they will simply have no chance.

See the slide show of the game.

The hope is that they prove everyone who witnessed last night’s display wrong.
Kidderminster ran riot in a 23-minute spell before the break, scoring four goals including a Russell Penn hat-trick.
But as much as the goals hurt, it was nothing compared to the sight of a Halifax side that seemed unable to carry out the simplest of footballing requirements like tackling, marking and passing.
And, after a brief rally early in the second half, there was more of the same as the Harriers became the first opposition side to score six at the Shay in a league game since Northampton Town in September 1986.
Iyseden Christie spurned a great chance to head the Harriers ahead after six minutes, sending the ball wide from eight yards when unmarked.
Jon Shaw headed wide at the other end and Danny Forrest sent a weak left foot shot into the keeper’s arms before the visitors opened the scoring after 15 minutes.
It was a peach of a strike from Penn, who latched onto a Jeff Kenna throw and hammered the ball into the top corner from 25 yards.
But why did no one pick the midfielder up?
Town’s problems doubled six minutes later when Christie’s low driven cross from the left found Penn unmarked again on the edge of the area and he rifled in his second of the night.
Simon Heslop had a couple of dips from distance, the first flew over the top and the second was blocked for a corner.
But Town continued to toil and Kidderminster smelled blood.
After Andrew Ferrell had been denied by Craig Mawson, they bagged a third goal in the 36th minute when Christie raced onto Simon Russell’s through ball and lifted his shot over the advancing Town keeper.
And if that was not game over, then the Harriers made sure two minutes later as Penn completed his hat-trick direct from a free kick after Jake Wright had brought down Christie on the edge of the area.
Town were given the merest glimmer of hope in first half stoppage time when Tom Kearney’s shot was handled in the area by Ferrell and Shaw pulled one back from the penalty spot.
And they enjoyed their best spell of the evening in the 15 minutes after the break, but were unable to find another way through.
Anthony Griffith fired narrowly wide after good work by Heslop and Campbell, Heslop tried his luck from the right but was unable to hit the target and when Campbell pounced on Shaw’s flick from a Mawson clearance he lifted the ball over the keeper but it bounced the wrong side of the post.
The best chance fell to Lewis Killeen on the hour, but his downward header from Matt Doughty’s ball in from the right bounced down and wide.
Having absorbed Town’s pressure, Kidderminster broke with pace and when Christie burst into the area he was hauled down by Mawson and Ferrell bagged their fifth goal from the spot.
Simon Ainge came up from the back to hammer in a wayward 25-yard effort before the Harriers scored again with 11 minutes remaining.
And it was Penn who piled on the misery for the Shaymen as he took advantage of hesitancy between Santos Gaia and Wright to nip in, take the ball into the area and fire home left footed.
The demolition was complete and Town had just one further chance in the final minute of the game when Daryl Taylor found Darryn Stamp in the area. The striker turned well but could only direct his shot straight at the keeper.

MATCHFACTS
Halifax Town: Mawson, Griffith, Gaia, Ainge, Wright, Forrest (Doughty 46), Heslop, Kearney, Killeen, Campbell (Stamp 73), Shaw (Taylor 83). Subs (not used): Legzdins, Atherton.
Booked: Mawson, Griffith.
Sent-off: None
Goals: Shaw 45 pen.

Kidderminster Harriers : Coleman, Kenna, Hurren, Creighton (Wylde 81), Jeannin, Bennett, Penn (McGrath 84), Ferrell, Russell (Smikle 67), Christie, Barnes-Homer. Subs (not used): Bignot, Knights.
Booked: Ferrell.
Goals: Penn 15, 21, 38, 79 Christie 36, Ferrell 68 pen

Attendance: 1,097
Referee: M Brown (Bristol).

STAR SHAYMAN
On a night when few players did themselves justice it was almost a matter of least worst claiming man of the match honours.
Anthony Griffith again put everything into his game, but was unable to inspire others round him.
And his well-struck shot just after half time was as good as anything else Town had to offer in attack.
As for the others, it really was a toss of a coin.
Lewis Killeen kept battling, but was never really able to impose himself on the left and when he did pop up in the middle he was unfortunate to see a header bounce wide
Jon Shaw showed glimpses of the battling style fans have come to expect from him.
But by the end the Shaymen were a badly beaten bunch of players
Griffith takes the three points on offer in our season long competition, Killeen two and Shaw one

PLAYER POINTS
Jon Shaw 44, Simon Heslop 39, Anthony Griffith 30, Andy Campbell 22, Tom Kearney 21, Jake Wright 20, Lewis Killeen 16, Matt Doughty 12, Steve Torpey 12, Steve Bushell 10, Danny Forrest 13, Daryl Taylor 8, Rob Scott 7, Tom Clarke 6, Adam Legzdins 6, Cortez Belle 5, Craig Mawson 5, Craig Nelthorpe 4, Simon Ainge 3, Adam Quinn 3, Peter Atherton 2, Nathan Joynes 2, Darryn Stamp 2, Ryan Toulson 2, Greg Young 2, Gareth Davies 1, Santos Gaia 1.

YOU SAY
is this some kind of a joke resign now wilder - DC

even the taxman must have given up on you now sir chris unless of coarse you are the taxman blue square here we come if we survive- anon

gone home at half time never to return again as long as wilder is there he says we are in a false position we are should be bottom wilder must go now - treacle toffee man

Nothing to worry about. Mr Wilder's promised us we won't go down - anon

Fantastic performance town. Surged backwards at every opportunity - The taxmans twin brother

dont panic hey wilder that was rubbish tonight me and my mate left at half time disgusted you dont have a clue wilder resign if you dare
relegation threatened teams battle but this was pathetic, inept, abysmal, tactically garbage dross. Wilder out now - very angry andy

i think a draw would have been a fair result - the taxman

TIME TO PACK UP SHAYMEN. YOU'RE AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE TOWN - Mr Dejected.

Disgusting.It should be free entry for all on thursday paid for out of the players wages as an apology.2nite was the final nail in the coffin -Grebsy

town are down. They have 1 chance 2 cum bak up in a blaze of glory, otherwise we mite as wel board th shay up and put sign up sayin closed 4 bizness! Anon

keep the faith and stay positive. Its not over yet - Skircoat Loyal