TOWN must wish they could play all their away games at Marston Road after picking up their first away win of the season, six months after their last - at the same venue.

On the previous occasion it was also a 3-2 victory, but it has been a long time between drinks.

Last night's hero was recent signing Jon Shaw who bagged a second half double to give the Shaymen the points after they had surrendered a half-time lead.

In effect, Town won the game twice, dominating the first half and turning round a goal to the good before having to fight their way back after Stafford had scored twice in four minutes soon after the break.

But there is little doubting that they deserved the spoils after a third successive impressive display which took their points tally to seven from the last nine.

The overall momentum certainly appears to be turning Town's way.

On another night they might have been two goals up inside the opening 10 minutes as Andy Campbell's pace caused the home side real problems.

He latched onto a Killeen pass before being denied a shooting chance by Djoumin Sangare and a couple of minutes later it was the Frenchman's centre back partner Wayne Daniel who prevented the Town hitman from getting his shot away as he ran onto a Cortez Belle pass.

Skipper Tom Kearney's 25-yarder, following good work by Jake Wright, flew narrowly wide and Anthony Griffith - who was on loan at Stafford last season - had an effort from a similar distance blocked soon after as Halifax continued to dominate.

Campbell was unable to bring Steve Torpey's low cross under control on the half hour but the breakthrough finally arrived five minutes later after Torpey had forced a corner.

The winger delivered from the right, the ball was knocked back across the goal by Campbell and Lewis Killeen, stooping at the far post, headed home.

Only after that did Stafford show any real intent with Marco Adaggio actually getting the ball into the net only to be denied for offside.

But he made his mark just a couple of minutes after the break when he brought the home side level, volleying home on the turn from a Kevin Street cross.

If that was bad, what followed was worse as the home side hit the front for the first time four minutes later.

Adaggio crossed from the right and David McNiven's initial effort was saved by Mawson. Wright's attempted clearance was blocked by Matthew Hazley and the ball cannoned in off a combination of McNiven and the Town keeper.

If it was McNiven who got the touch, and various camera angles proved inconclusive, he was clearly offside.

A fragile side might have crumbled, but Town responded superbly as they regathered their composure and started to play their football again.

Campbell curled one narrowly over the top from a Ryan Toulson pass before having an effort tipped over by home keeper Robert Duggan following a great run down the right from Killeen.

The ever willing Campbell raced onto Adam Quinn's through ball soon after but his shot came back off keeper Duggan before hitting his shins and going behind for a goal kick.

Coach Lee Butler was sent to the stands after getting involved in a fracas following Hazley's crude 72nd-minute challenge on Killeen.

But within three minutes the mood on the bench was lifted as the Shaymen levelled.

Torpey was again the provider from a corner on the right and Shaw held off his marker superbly to turn the ball home from close range.
And four minutes later the Shaymen hit the front for the second time in the game after a sweeping move down the left.

Torpey started it all before picking out Campbell who cut back onto his right foot to cross for Shaw at the far post and he fired home on the volley.

Stafford threw on an extra striker for the last five minutes but Town, who were forced to shuffle their defence when Quinn was forced to leave the field after an earlier blow to the head, never looked in danger of surrendering their advantage for a second time as they ensured that their recent good run continued.

Star Shayman
Jon Shaw has settled into life at Halifax Town in double quick time.
And he proved that by bagging two goals in double quick time to give the Shaymen the points at Marston Road.
He and Andy Campbell have struck up a decent working relationship in a very short space of time and goals for a striker are worth their weight in gold as far as confidence are concerned.
He takes the three points on offer in our season long competition while fellow goalscorer Lewis Killeen takes two.
The former Sheffield United man worked tirelessly down the right hand side and with a decent supply of ball was able to cause the home defence plenty of problems.
His goal - a first of the season - was a real poacher's effort as he stooped top head home 10 minutes before the break.
The final point goes to Andy Campbell.
He was running as hard in the final minute as he had been in the first as he led the Town attacking line.
And he capped off a fine display with the perfect cross for Shaw to grab what proved to be the winning goal.

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

Match Facts
Stafford Rangers: Duggan, Sutton, Daniel, Sangare, Murray, Hopkinson (Street 46 (Grayson 89) ), Flynn, Stones, Arnolin (Hazley 46), McNiven, Adaggio, Subs (not used): McAughtrie, Alcock.
Booked: Adaggio, Flynn, Hazley.
Sent-off: None
Goals: Adaggio 47, McNiven 51.

Halifax Town: Mawson, Toulson, Quinn (Scott 90), Belle, Wright, Killeen, Kearney, Griffith, Torpey (Bushell 90), Campbell, Shaw. Subs (not used): Doughty, Forrest, Stamp.

Booked: Griffith.
Sent-off: None
Goals: Killeen 35, Shaw 75, 79.

Attendance: 927.
Referee: A Hendley (West Midlands).

You Say
Great first half, bit of a worry how we blew the lead after half time but full credit for getting the ball down and getting the three points we deserved - Chats

Great first half show, great character to come back from behind, 3 good points. - Angry Andy

Great performance and show of character. Belle and Toulson were magnificent. Let's build on this performance and move up the league - JRA.