This game should have been about Nigel Jemson's first game in charge of the Shaymen, Ashley Stott's first strike since Warrington or Nathan Joynes's first goal since returning to the club.

Instead, it was about referee James Hermuzi who brandished four red cards - two for each side - conspiring to spoil what had been a perfectly ordinary game of football.

Ossett's Ryan White was first to go, after 38 minutes, for a second bookable offence.

But it was not until 14 minutes from the end that it really kicked off, when the Shaymen, who had fought back to lead the game, conceded a penalty.

Whether it was a spot kick is debateable, as was the strength of a push perpetrated by Paul Evans on an Albion man which the match official deemed worthy of a straight red.

Damian Allen's dismissal four minutes later was laughable - he picked up a second yellow for firing in a shot a split second after the referee had blown for a foul.

And Michael Senior completed the quartet of early baths in the final minute for a challenge on Lincoln Adams.

In and among the red cards there was a rash of yellows - 11 in all - as what should have been a keenly contested clash between two sides harbouring top five ambitions plunged into chaos.

Town had an early scare when Ossett claimed a goal inside the opening 45 seconds, but Damian Hopkins's throw in had bounced straight into the net without anyone touching it.

They hit back six minutes later when Nigel Jemson picked out Junior Brown with a free kick and he crossed for Joynes whose left foot shot was deflected behind for a corner.

Home keeper Lee Ashforth - the football in the community chief at the Shay - did well to claw the ball away when a Brown corner looked destined for the back of the net in the 12th minute.

Osset had their best spell after that, with former Shay midfielder Senior forcing Jon Kennedy to tip the ball round the post
And they went in front after 18 minutes when, from a needlessly conceded corner, Kyle Cook delivered and David Syers headed home.

Town were only behind for seven minutes as Stott fired home the equaliser after Junior Brown and Evans had both had touches inside the Ossett area.

Brown and Evans combined well three minute later, allowing Tom Baker to send a left footed effort just over the bar from the edge of the area.

Stott sent a glancing header from an Evans free kick flashing inches wide and Allen fed Brown on the left, allowing him to cut in only to fire over the top.

Ossett were, quite rightly, reduced to 10 men in the 38th minute when White, who had been booked ater 13 minutes, went straight through Evans from behind and received a second yellow card.

Brown's deep cross from the left was too long for Cavell Coo to capitalise on at the far post.

And Stott failed to make the best connection with a volley after Joynes had flicked on a Coo cross on the stroke of half time.

Town opened the second half brightly with Evans twice having efforts that caused Ashforth problems.

And they went in front in the 58th minute after good work from Stott down the left.

He crossed for Brown whose shot was blocked by Syers, but Joynes was on hand to bundle home the rebound.

Town were pushed back after that, although the home side rarely looked like threatening Kennedy's goal.

But they were thrown a lifeline when the referee decided Adams's challenge on Kelsey was a penalty and the fouled player tucked home from the spot.

Evans was dismissed in the melee that followed the awarding of the kick and Allen followed him from the field with 10 minutes remaining.

The chances had dried up, but the cards had not and it was evened up to nine players a side in the 85th minute when Senior was given his marching orders.

The referee had clearly lost control and his performance was summed up beautifully in the final minute when he saw Kennedy clear the ball from his area but failed to spot it as it dropped onto his head in the centre cricle.

Priceless.

MATCH FACTS
Ossett Albion: Ashforth, Hopkins, Cook, Uttley, Syers, White, Catton (Seed 55), M Senior, Bray (Bentley 70) , Kelsey, Allison. Subs (not used): Hamlet, Jackson, Ryan.
Booked: White (foul 13), Hopkins (foul 24), Allison (foul 47), M Senior (unsporting behaviour 48), Kelsey (foul 83), Uttley (foul 90)
Sent-off: White (second bookable offence 38), M Senior (second bookable offence 85)
Goals: Syers 18, Kelsey 76 pen

FC Halifax Town: Kennedy, Coo (Barnes 88), Adams, Jemson, Hotte, J Brown, Evans, Baker, Allen, Stott (D Brown 76), Joynes (Gedman 84). Subs (not used): P Senior, Peers.
Booked: Baker (foul 41), Allen (unsporting behaviour 65), J Brown (foul 67), Joynes (foul 73), Adams (foul 76), Gedman (foul 90)
Sent-off: Evans (foul 76), Allen (second bookable offence 80)
Goals: Stott 25, Joynes 58
Attendance: 860
Referee: J Hermuzi

SHAY STARMAN
Amid the flurry of red and yellow cards at Dimple Wells it was easy to forget there was a football match taking place.
And while Town will have been disappointed by the end result, there was no doubting their commitment to the cause.
Leading the way was Lincoln Adams who, ironically, had a hand in the goal that gave Ossett a share of the spoils.
He was beside himself when the referee said penalty for his challenge on Shane Kelsey and had every reason to be.
He was also, inevitably, booked for the 'challenge'.
But he did nothing wrong then, or at any other stage of the game, and takes the three points on offer in our season long competition.
Ashley Stott has his detractors but he can still play a major role in Town's bid for a top five finish and took his first goal for a couple of months well.
Paul Evans also played his part and can count himself unfortunate to be red carded for the slightest of contacts with an Ossett player.
Before that, he had given Albion keeper Lee Ashforth a couple of anxious moments with long range free kicks.
Stott takes a couple of points and Evans one.

PLAYER POINTS
Tom Baker 41, Junior Brown 34, Ashley Stott 21, Scott Phelan 17, Jonathan Smith 16, Nigel Jemson 11, Paul Gedman 11, Lincoln Adams 11, Colin Daniel 10, Peter Moore 10, Jon Kennedy 9, Cavell Coo 9, Paul Evans 9, Damien Allen 7, Michael Barnes 6, Mark Peers 5, Ritchie Sutton 5, Adam Morning 4, Paul Collins 4, Luke Hinsley 3, Steve Payne 3, Neil Ross 3, Nathan Joynes 3, Craig Smith 2, Justin Walker 2, Craig Ellison 2, Danny Ellis 1, Phil Senior 1.

YOU SAY
Now thats passion. Right to the end boys still in with a shout. The referee was quite mad mental. Even if we fail im now convinced after today we wont give in lightly. You made us very proud today. Nice to see gedders back. The fans were superb amid massive provocation and that's fact - Shay man

The worst ref i have seen in my life. - angry andy

TOP OF THE TABLE
P W D L F A Pts
Durham City 36 21 12 3 81 37 75
Skelmersdale 35 22 8 5 80 48 74
Colwyn Bay 36 22 6 8 67 44 69
Newcastle BS 34 19 8 7 84 42 65
Curzon Ashton36 18 8 10 63 38 62
Halifax Town 37 17 10 10 68 48 61
Lancaster C 37 18 6 13 62 62 60
Ossett A 36 16 9 11 62 56 57
Bamber B 37 16 4 17 67 71 52