At times in the first half they cut open Harrogate Railway's defence at will and were full value for the two goal interval lead they had through Lincoln Adams and Michael Barnes.

On other occasions, notably in the second period, they looked disjointed, nervous and off the pace as the visitors threatened a comeback.

In the end it all ended happily with Town claiming the spoils to close the gap on leaders Durham to a single point.

Click here to see the Unibond Division One North table on our Halifax Town fixtures and results page

And ultimately that is all that really matters with nine more games of the season remaining and promotion still on the agenda.

Town looked up for the challenge from the start and, from a third-minute Paul Evans through ball, Nigel Jemson took a return pass from Adams before his shot was saved by Jordan Yorath's legs.

Five minutes later the outstanding Mark Peers ran past the full back before crossing, but the ball was just too high for Ashley Stott to capitalise on.

Peers played a magnificent cross field ball from the right for Stott to run on to in the 11th minute as the Shaymen continued to press, but the striker's shot was blocked for a corner by the keeper.

And when an Evans free kick was sliced into the night sky by a defender Adams, six yards out, was unable to get his head on it.

Town finally broke the deadlock after 20 minutes from a corner on the left hand side.

Evans' original delivery was cleared back to him and when he returned the ball into the box Adams was there to head home.

Tony Barras's long ball down the left gave Stott another chance to run at the Railway defence, Yorath saving well down to his right to deny the frontman.

But the Shaymen were two up just past the half hour after Cavell Coo released Peers down the left. He left defenders trailing in his wake before crossing deep for Michael Barnes to side foot a volley into the net.

Steve West's tame effort seven minutes from the break was Railway's only effort on goal in the entire first half.

But the Shaymen could have had another in the 39th minute after Evans played the ball deep for Jemson.

He headed down for Tom Baker arriving late in the area, but his right foot shot flew across the face of goal and wide.

There was little to suggest what was about to unfold as Town went close at the start of the second half, Jemson flicking an Evans corner over the bar in the 48th minute.

And Barnes almost curled a cross into Jemson's path moments later as the Shaymen looked to be continuing their dominance.

But the visitors showed far more ambition in the second half and it seemed to rock Town back on their heels.

Suddenly they were second to every loose ball, they were losing 50-50 tackles and the passing became ragged.

Paul Mitchell did well to win a corner and the same player headed over from the resulting kick.

Will Ryder had two goes at a shot from the edge of the area, the first being blocked and the second whistling past the post.

Then, in the 65th minute, Railway pulled one back from a David Henry corner, James Riley applying the finishing touch with the simplest of headers.

It was panic stations at the back for Town as they realised all the hard first half work could be about to be undone.

Ryder and Ben Jones combined well before Scott Jackson fired over and the same player hooked an effort wide of the target moments later.

And within seven minutes of throwing themselves a lifeline, Railway thought they had levelled when Jon Kennedy and Adams went for the same ball in the area and it bounced down for Jones to tuck home.
Fortunately, the referee had seen a slight push, chalked the effort off and that was effectively that.

Railway never really threatened again, although Mitchell did try his luck from distance with poor results.

Town never really regained the control they had in the opening 45 minutes, but they did at least push forward with more purpose and might have made it more comfortable by taking one of the late chances they created.

David Brown raced clear down the left only to pull his shot across the face of goal and wide.

Then a Stott shot hit Brown when it seemed destined to at least test Yorath.

Stott had the final effort and it is not one he will want to remember as he got away on the right only to blaze over from 12 yards.

MATCH FACTS
FC Halifax Town: Kennedy, Coo (Hinsley 53), Adams, Sutton, Barras, Evans, Baker, Barnes (Allen 79), Peers, Jemson (D Brown 67), Stott. Sub (not used): Senior.
Booked: Evans (foul 76)
Sent-off: None
Goals: Adams 20, Barnes 31

Harrogate Railway Athletic: Yorath, Haigh, Gowen, Smith (Henry 39), West, Riley, Ryan, Ryder, Jones, Jackson, Smith (Mitchell 50). Subs (not used): Laight, Ball, Sutcliffe.
Booked: Gowen (foul 50)
Sent-off: None
Goals: Riley 65

Attendance: 866
Referee: D Storrie

STAR SHAYMAN
All of Town's best performances came in the first half of their clash with Harrogate Railway.
And the man who caused the visitors most problems was Mark Peers who carried on where he had left off against leaders Durham at the weekend.
His direct running down the flanks had the Railway defence scrambling on more than one occasion and his deep cross for Michael Barnes' goal was perfection.
Barnes also did his bit on the other wing, teasing the right back before leaving him in his wake.
And he will have been delighted to have bagged what turned out to be the winning goal.
In the centre of midfield it was Paul Evans who again orchestrated the first half display, barking out the orders and leading by example as he won the ball and spread it to the men who could do the real damage.
And he also provided a decent cross for Lincoln Adams to nod the Shaymen in front.
Peers takes the three points on offer in our season-long competition with Barnes taking two and Evans one.

PLAYER POINTS
Junior Brown 32, Tom Baker 30, Ashley Stott 19, Scott Phelan 17, Jonathan Smith 16, Nigel Jemson 11, Paul Gedman 11, Colin Daniel 10, Peter Moore 10, Jon Kennedy 9, Mark Peers 8, Cavell Coo 7, Damien Allen 7, Lincoln Adams 6, Michael Barnes 5, Ritchie Sutton 4, Adam Morning 4, Paul Collins 4, Paul Evans 4, Steve Payne 3, Neil Ross 3, Craig Smith 2, Justin Walker 2, Luke Hinsley 2, Craig Ellison 2, Danny Ellis 1, Phil Senior 1.

YOU SAY
Very good 1st half but the 2nd was like watching wilders tactics all over again as we sat back - happy andy

Very impressive 1st half display - 2nd half was hard work to watch - 3 points and job done - Bri