And not even the unfortunate second half sending off of Ryan Toulson for a second yellow card could knock them off course.

Click here to see the slide show of the game.

Simon Heslop led the way with a superb display - in midfield and defence - and bagged the all-important opening goal.

But it was a complete team effort with everyone contributing as the side built on the midweek FA Cup replay win over Evesham.

The Shaymen hassled and harried when they did not have the ball, and used it well when they did, creating chances and - most importantly - taking them at crucial times in the game.

By the time Toulson saw red, picking up his second caution of the game after racing from the defensive wall at a Crawley free kick, they were in complete control.

And at no stage did Crawley ever look like making their man advantage count.

Town's efforts were all the more impressive given that five of their squad - Matt Doughty, Steve Torpey, Tom Kearney, Steve Bushell and Michael Branch - did not arrive until 45 minutes before kick off after being held up by an incident on the M62 on their way to the ground.

Ironically, considering how dominant the Shaymen were in the opening hour of the game, the first chance went to the visitors, but Tyrone Thompson was unable to get on the end of Pierre Joseph-Dubois's right wing cross.

From that moment on, it was all Halifax.

Jon Shaw's cross was half cleared to Heslop whose left footed effort was deflected behind for a corner.

Shaw then got a touch on a Torpey cross from the left, only to be denied by a defender.

And when Torpey found himself in the clear 18 yards from goal, he was denied by a good save from Crawley keeper Ashley Bayes, with neither Torpey nor Darryn Stamp able to make anything of the chances they got when the ball rebounded to them.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 27th minute from Greg Young's long ball forward.

Shaw flicked it on and Heslop took it in his stride, moving smoothly into the area from the right before picking his spot and sending it into the bottom corner of the net.

Moments later, Stamp sent a looping header from a Heslop cross over the bar.

But Town did not have to wait long for their second goal, which arrived on the half hour.

Toulson's ball allowed Heslop to run at James Krause again and he pulled the ball back for Shaw on the edge of the six-yard box.
The in-form striker needed no further invitation as he swivelled and fired home.

Stamp sent a curling effort narrowly off target from the edge of the area and Cortez Belle's downward header from a Torpey corner bounced just the wrong side of the post as Town continued to press.

And they increased their lead three minutes after the break, with Heslop again involved in the build up.

He latched onto a superb Stamp flick and raced towards the area.
His second touch was a little strong and gave Bayes half a chance to save, but the players clashed on the edge of the box, with the ball rebounding to Anthony Griffith who marked his return from suspension by curling home into an empty net.

Seven minutes later, Griffith was left on the ground clutching his face after clashing with Jamie Stevens and the fourth official appeared to be signalling a clash of heads, but no further action was taken.

And on the hour Town were reduced to 10 men following Toulson's red card - the fourth Town player to be sent off in the last five league games.

Substitute Mustapha Carayol curled the free kick towards the top corner, only to be denied by a fine diving save from the otherwise untroubled Adam Legzdins.

The dismissal stifled Town's ability to get forward and Crawley had a couple of decent chances in the final quarter of the game.

But Carayol fired wide from a corner on the right hand side and the same player's cross was sliced clear by Belle.

Star Shayman
Simon Heslop started in midfield and set Town on their way to victory with a superbly-taken goal, then switched to right back and helped his side keep a clean sheet.
The Barnsley loan man was outstanding in both roles and takes the three points on offer in our season long competition.
Up front, Jon Shaw linked well with Darryn Stamp and played the lone striker role to perfection after the dismissal of Ryan Toulson.
And his latest goal took his tally to nine in 12 appearances for the Shaymen.
Skipper Tom Kearney was pivotal in Town's victory as he was the man the other players turned to whenever they needed an outlet.
He switched play well and, with Anthony Griffith, controlled the game from the middle of the park.
Shaw takes two points and Kearney one

Match Facts
Halifax Town: Legzdins, Toulson, Belle, Young, Doughty, Torpey (Quinn 80), Kearney, Griffith, Heslop, Shaw, Stamp (Taylor 64). Subs (not used): Bushell, Wright, Branch.
Sent Off: Toulson (second bookable offence 61).
Booked: Toulson (foul 43), Griffith (foul 58).
Goals: Heslop 27, Shaw 30, Griffith 48.
Crawley Town: Bayes, Bull (Carayol 58), Stevens, Krause, Wilson, Thompson, Bulman, Pinault, Madjo (Nlome-Ndebi 46), Pittman, Joseph-Dubois (Blackburn 46). Subs (not used): Watson, Clapham.
Sent-off: None
Booked: Stevens (foul 11), Pittman (unsporting behaviour 35)
Goals: None
Attendance: 1,197
Referee: J Waugh (Sheffield).

Player Points
Jon Shaw 17, Tom Kearney 16, Andy Campbell 13, Steve Bushell 9, Lewis Killeen 9, Anthony Griffith 8, Daryl Taylor 8, Cortez Belle 5, Danny Forrest 5, Steve Torpey 4, Matt Doughty 3, Simon Heslop 3, Craig Mawson 3, Jake Wright 3, Adam Quinn 2.

You Say
Well done Town on a great win in spite of a clueless ref - Angry Andy

Every team needs a back bone we had one today. Belle, Griffith and Shaw. More of the same please - Get Carter.

Another dominant performance only this time we get what we deserved - three points to silence the boo boys. Nice to see the great Tyrone Thompson back - The Taxman

An excellent all round performance. We looked a very good side. Shaw is absolute quality. Well done - Jra

Great win. Crawley and ref were rubbish. Burton are gonna get thrashed - The Turnbull

We deserved it - Wilder