ANTHONY Griffith's wonder strike just past the hour mark gave Town their third win in four games and shot them up to 11th in the Blue Square Premier.

The loan midfielder volleyed home from 25 yards as the Shaymen finally broke through the massed ranks of the Woking defence.

And despite the fact that Halifax were always on top, it always looked like taking something special to earn maximum points against a side that showed just how it had managed to draw five of its previous seven matches.

Town's players did well not to become frustrated as they produced some neat approach play but were unable to find the finishing touches.

But once they had gone ahead, the result was never in doubt as Woking simply had nothing to offer as an attacking force.

The Shaymen were dealt an early blow when Adam Quinn's replacement Rob Scott hobbled from the field with a pulled hamstring after just a couple of minutes.

But the reshaped defence was always in control at the back and Craig Mawson could have had the night off.

Steve Torpey, early substitute Matt Doughty and Andy Campbell combined well on the left early on and Cortez Belle had a shot blocked after 10 minutes from a half cleared corner.

Three minutes later Doughty picked out Jon Shaw who flicked on for Campbell, but he was thwarted by Nick Gindre as he tried to go round the outside of the Woking keeper.

Jake Wright kept his composure to deny Marvin Morgan a shooting chance at the other end before Town returned to the attack with Belle again unlucky as his goalbound header from a Torpey free kick was cleared.

Lewis Killeen ran straight through the visitors' defence in the 21st minute and when he was finally dispossessed the ball fell at Torpey's feet, but his shot flew across the face of goal and wide.

Guiseppe Sole's free kick was comfortably taken by Mawson as Woking mounted a rare threat to the Town goal.

And before the break Gindre has to be at his best to save bravely at Campbell's feet, following a Ryan Toulson throw in, and to deny Torpey on a couple of occasions as the winger almost got in on the left.

Town have been vulnerable at the start of the second half in recent matches, but they attacked with purpose after the break last night.

Torpey's cross from a short corner five minutes after the break saw Shaw head wide and four minutes later, following a foul on Campbell, Kearney and Killeen worked a free kick routine that ended with Toulson's low right footed shot flashing narrowly wide of the upright.

And they finally broke through in the 61st minute with as good a goal as the Shay fans are likely to see all season.

Griffith was fouled on the right allowing the impressive Kearney to deliver the free kick and when the ball was cleared to the Doncaster Rovers man he struck it goalwards first time.

And not long after that Campbell raced away down the right only to fire over from the corner of the box.Mawson did well to punch clear from a Sole corner and Matt Ruby saw a back header loop over the bar as Woking tried in vain to get back on terms.

But Town may well have gone on to add to their tally before the final whistle.

Another Kearney and Killeen free kick gave Doughty a shooting chance, but his effort came back off a post.

Shaw managed to get the ball past keeper Gindre only for Jay Gasson to get back and clear off his own line.
And Campbell got free again and lifted the ball over the keeper, but also cleared the bar.

Star Shayman
Even had he not scored his wonder goal, Anthony Griffith would have been close to picking up the man of the match honours against Woking.
The battling midfielder certainly puts himself about on a football pitch and must be a nightmare to play against.
He rarely puts a foot wrong and if he does he has the ability to recover the situation with a biting challenge.
His midfield partner Tom Kearney is another player who sets high standards for himself.
And over the course of 90 minutes it is rare if he misplaces more than a couple of passes.
He did as much as anyone to help drive the Shaymen forward and on to a third win in four matches.
Jake Wright has been impressive at left back in recent matches and that's where he started last night.
Not long after kick off, however, he was back at centre back and did not put a foot wrong for the remaining 88 minutes.
Griffith takes the three points on offer in our season long competition, with Kearney taking two and Wright one.

Player Points
Andy Campbell 13, Steve Bushell 7, Anthony Griffith 5, Cortez Belle 4, Tom Kearney 4, Jon Shaw 4, Lewis Killeen 3, Craig Mawson 3, Daryl Taylor 2, Danny Forrest 1, Jake Wright 1.

Match Facts
Halifax Town: Mawson, Toulson, Scott (Doughty 4), Belle, Wright, Killeen, Kearney, Griffith, Torpey (Forrest 74), Shaw, Campbell (Bushell 90). Subs (not used:) Stamp, Taylor.
Booked: None
Sent-off: None
Goal: Griffith 61

Woking: Gindre, Ruby, Lorraine, Gasson, Bunce, Lambu (Harusha 87), Pattison, Maledon, Sole, Morgan, Gibbs (Green 74).
Subs (not used): Warner, Shin, Younghusband.
Booked: Lorraine.
Sent-off: None
Goals: None

Attendance: 1,304
Referee: J Collin (Liverpool).

You Say
Another good performance, pretty solid throughout and had the chances to score a few more as well with a bit better luck - Chats

Great game, great goal, good ref who let game roll - Daz Brighouse

Great goal and a fine three points. Well done to all and now let's go stuff Torquay - Angry Andy