Ovenden Park was a far happier place to be on Saturday evening after Halifax finally got their National Two campaign up and running with a vital victory in a thrilling game that was a credit to both sides.
The scoreline looks close - and there were more than a few shredded nerves - but no one could deny Halifax deserved victory.
Yes, there were still errors – a worrying inability to take control of the restarts and too much ball turned over.
But that gets the minor quibbles out of the way because this victory was all about teamwork and the ability to create openings which, on this occasion, the players were able to profit from.
Craig Aikman produced an electric show at scrum half as he ran in three top quality tries while full back Joe Knowles wasted none of his seven opportunities at goal, nailing the kicks with some assurance.
There was a stage in the second half when the game had "Wharfedale" stamped all over it.
On that occasion Halifax let a 27-6 interval lead slip and they went on to lose the game 30-27.
At one point on Saturday, Halifax were 27-10 to the good before letting Southend draw level at 27-27.
Thankfully for the hosts, Will Greenwood pounced on a loose ball and set off for the line to help Halifax pull clear again. Then, not even a late converted score from Southend could spoil the party.
Two early penalties gave Halifax the springboard they needed. Knowles lofted the first from an incredible distance and slightly to the left of the posts. His second was also from some way out but straight in front.
Southend liked to move the ball and showed muscle in the pack, but Halifax produced an outstanding defensive display, the forwards making up for a lack of bite with some determined and sustained defence.
That injected confidence throughout the side and it was left to the hard working Tom Eaton to add some flair into the proceedings with a superb break through the defence before off-loading to Aikman, who dived over in the corner for an excellent score.
Knowles added drama to the occasion with his conversion, the ball kissing the inside of the upright before dropping over.
Southend replied through Andy Frost's penalty after Halifax had again failed to claim the ball from the restart and there was a real sense of deja vu developing when Phil Bailey took everybody by surprise with a break down the blind side that saw him cross for Frost to convert.
That reduced Halifax's lead to 13-10 but the tension eased significantly with another two try burst in quick succession.
Aikman again showed his will-o-the-wisp qualities with a dart from the back of the scrum as he weaved a path to the line, Knowles adding the conversion from in front of the posts.
Aikman then took his try tally to three courtesy of determination from skipper Danny McGee in charging down a Southend kick and hooker Will Kay who threw out a stunning long pass for Aikman to stroll in.
Knowles added the kick and Halifax were comfortably ahead at 27-10.
However, Halifax showed their fragility again 10 minutes after the break. Flanker Richard Gill was driven over following a lineout, Frost converting, before swift hands made the space for Nick Pay to burst through a defensive line that had moved up too quickly. Frost again added the kick.
Frost then missed the chance to pull his side level with a kickable penalty that drifted wide.
Halifax made changes in the pack with Rob Townend coming on to join fellow benchers Gareth Richardson and Dominic Moon.
Phil Skillen was then forced off after taking a blow to the head which brought Dan Solomi into the fray.
The fresh legs certainly adding some purpose to the pack.
Southend were on terms when Frost kicked a penalty after Gareth Lewis was found guilty of handling in the ruck.
That was the signal for Southend to kick on sight as they looked to pin Halifax in their own territory and attempt to feed off the scraps.
There were very few pickings, however, as Eaton, Dave Hall and Knowles returned the kicks with interest.
It appeared that both sides were settling for the draw but Halifax were handed the initiative early in injury time when Knowles was floored by a late challenge and picked himself up to crash over the penalty.
It was seven minutes into overtime when Halifax were finally able to relax as Greenwood seized on a loose ball after good Halifax pressure had forced the error. Knowles converted for a 37-27 lead.
After a further three minutes of stoppage time, Halifax were pegged back again as Gill pushed over for Southend's fourth try which Frost improved.
But there was no time for the nerves to kick in again with referee Andrew Taylorson signalling that the celebrations could begin.