WHAT ought to have been a routine first home win of the season ended in massive frustration as the Town defence imploded at the end of the first half.

The Shaymen were cruising serenely towards their first three-point haul of the campaign thanks to an Andy Campbell double inside the opening quarter.

And they had further chances during that time to extend their advantage against an Altrincham side that still looked shellshocked following the 4-1 home defeat at the weekend.

But an inability to cope with long hopeful balls down the middle of the field gifted the visitors a lifeline and they grabbed it with both hands.

It was as baffling as it was depressing for the home fans who must have been planning their post match celebrations when Campbell bagged his second.

The collapse was unexpected as Altrincham had shown little ambition before their fightback.

And they showed even less in the second period as they clung on to what they had, with more than a little help from keeper Stuart Coburn who ensured there was no way back for Town.

Lewis Killeen had already sent a volley over the top by the time Campbell opened his account for the campaign after just eight minutes.

Darren Tinson's header to Coburn was short of the keeper and the Town frontman pounced, firing across the face of goal and into the right hand corner.

Campbell almost got in again a minute later but his touch let him down at the vital moment and the opportunity went.

Cortez Belle stepped in to clear from Colin Little after the first of Town's defensive lapses almost let the former Shayman in.

STAR SHAYMAN
Having scored twice in the opening 22 minutes, Andy Campbell must have thought he was on his way to helping his side earn their first win bonus of the season.
Indeed, he had the chances to go on and complete the rarest of beasts for a Halifax Town player - a hat-trick.
He led the line superbly and was still running as hard in the final minute as he had in the first.
He was excellent on the ground, scored a great headed goal and picks up three points in our season-long competition.
Steve Bushell must have been desperate to do well against the side with which he played last season.
The midfielder was the pick of the men in the middle on either side, comfortably winning his battle with former Shay and Moss Lane colleague Val Owen.
As on Saturday, Daryl Taylor was only able to play a bit part.
But he did enough in the 37 minutes he was on the field to pick up the final point.
His pace had Steve Aspinall tied in knots and his cross for Campbell's second goal was perfect.

MATCH FACTS
Halifax Town: Mawson, Scott, Belle, Quinn, Doughty, Killeen, Kearney, Bushell, Taylor (Forrest 37), Campbell, Stamp (Torpey 57). Subs (not used): Toulson, Wright, Fry.
Booked: Mawson, Forrest.
Sent-off: None
Goals: Campbell 8, 22.

Altrincham: Coburn, Lane, Tinson, Munroe, Aspinall, Lawton, Sedgemore, Owen, Whalley (O'Neill 46), Senior (Coo 67), Little (Potts 83). Subs (not used): Thornley, Rose.
Booked: Lawton, Senior.
Sent off: Lawton (88).
Goals: Little 33, Sedgemore 37.

Attendance: 1,401.
Referee: M. Brown (Hull).

PLAYER POINTS
Cortez Belle 3, Andy Campbell 3, Steve Bushell 2, Tom Kearney 2, Daryl Taylor 2

YOU SAY
Same old story. Absolute rubbish! Same as last season. Time to go Wilder! Lucky to not get Mawson sent off. Relegation battle for us again!
- mark dennis

Got 2 play 90 minutes town and if u think people will pay them prices 4 performances like that then you have another thing coming
- matty shaw

Clueless. Won't play many worse teams all season yet we can't hold a 2-0 lead or have the creativity to break them down 2nd half.
- Town fan

Hats off to Campbell maybe he'll save us from relegation. Terrible game and performance. Time for a change.
- Shay Man

Time to go Wilder. Just like last season. Resign do us all a favour or will u not talk to press again
- Skircoat Lad

Oh dear oh dear, 30 mins of exciting football then back to normal. At least we have now found someone who can run at defences in Taylor.
- BB
But it was normal service after that with Coburn fortunate to escape any punishment for handling outside the area to deny Campbell on the left.

And when Tom Kearney drove forward and picked out Daryl Taylor on the right, he crossed for Darryn Stamp whose diving header was saved by the keeper.

Chris Senior's volley, from Little's crossfield pass, was the only real chance Altrincham could muster.

And Town appeared to be taking an even tighter grip on the game when they doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute after a fine move.

Stamp's pass behind the visitors' defence picked out Taylor who picked his spot for the cross, allowing Campbell to head home from close range.

It looked like game over.

There was a hint of what was to follow when Craig Mawson saved from Little.

But that was nothing compared to the three minutes of action that followed soon after.

Altrincham got one back in the 33rd minute when a long ball forward cleared Belle, was allowed to bounce by Adam Quinn and Little struck from the edge of the area.

Three minutes later the Town defence was unable to deal with another long ball and Mawson instinctively handled outside his area as he tried to clear.

The keeper escaped with a yellow card, but Jake Sedgemore punished him further by firing the resulting free kick into the back of the net.

Town had all the possession after the break without really threatening the Altrincham goal until the final 20 minutes.

Then Campbell sprung into life again and was unlucky not to complete his hat trick.

Matt Doughty did well on the left, crossing for Belle to head down and Campbell got good contact on the ball only for Coburn to turn it round the post.

From the resulting corner, Steve Torpey had a well struck shot blocked 15 yards from goal as the visitors' defence rushed out.

And three minutes later Killeen picked out Campbell in the inside right channel and the striker sent his shot across the face of goal again, but just too far wide of the far post.

Altrincham were reduced to 10 men with two minutes remaining when Robbie Lawton received a second yellow card for a crude challenge on Doughty.

And there was still time for one final Town chance when Belle launched the ball towards the Altrincham area.

Quinn got a decent flick on the ball which fell nicely for Torpey, but once again Coburn was equal to the shot which he turned round the post for the first of two corners, both of which the visitors survived.