Halifax suffered a potentially damaging 2-0 defeat at Harrogate Railway yesterday, extending their recent run to just one win in six league games.

But with only one other game - a 2-2 draw betwreen Newcastle and Durham - beating the big freeze they remained top of the Unibond One North table.

And they will get a chance to start to put things right with a second game in three days.

"We were rubbish," said Vince following the game at Station View. "You cannot say anything about it.

"We were ineffective with the ball, we kept possession but never really tested their keeper.

"Harrogate set a deep line and we didn't penetrate.

"The players need to do a little bit of soul searching.

"You can bring a group of talented players together and you hope they are going to become a team.

"Everything is not right in the team and you can see that.

"You try to influence the players to make sure they become ruthless and determined.

"We have not got the desire to go and beat a team like Harrogate. If it had been Newcastle Blue Star the game would have been completely different.

"The players are finding it difficult to raise their game against the lower teams.

"You can ask them to show the desire, but it is never guaranteed. The players' mentality needs to change.

"You get to the top of the league and you think you are better than you are.

"They think they are going to walk every game and that's a disease you have to eradicate very quickly.

"Our form over the past few weeks has been suspect.

"With the players we have got we should be winning games but we are still at the top of the league."

Vince and his players felt the full force of the Town fans' wrath as they left the field yesterday.

"If the supporters are going to vent their anger it has to be at me because that's my job." he said. "I will take it.

"The spectators pay their money and you have to listen to the criticism."

Danny Meadowcroft will return to the squad for tomorrow's game after serving a one-match ban at Harrogate, but it will be the final game of fellow centre back Ritchie Sutton's one-month loan from Northwich.

Paul Collins, who played yesterday, will be playing his last game before a three match ban which has been confirmed will start on January 9.

FC Halifax Town (from): Kennedy, Coo, Collins, Jemson, Meadowcroft, Adams, Sutton, Allen, Baker, Brown, Smith, Stott, Gedman, Leitch-Smith, Hinsley, Ross.