MATCH VERDICT: Clitheroe 2-1 FC Halifax Town

Town led 1-0 at half-time, but the hosts deservedly levelled on the balance of play through substitute Kielen Adams, who then netted Clitheroe's winner late on.

This will certainly have been a far stronger workout than any Halifax training session so far, with their lower-league hosts competing well.

It is unwise to draw any conclusions at such an early stage; Pete Wild has said this and Saturday's game at Guiseley are about getting the players minutes.

But you got the feeling there was far more in Town's locker had it been required. There were enough encouraging signs for The Shaymen - players who look comfortable in their roles, players who look comfortable on the ball and some decent link-up play - as well as things to work on.

For all the changes at Town over the summer, five of the first-half team were at the club last season, with a trialist at right wing-back and a youth teamer at left centre-back.

The Shaymen were 3-5-2, which would appear to be very much Plan A this season, with Pete Wild and Chris Millington signing players to suit.

Town fans were able to watch their team live for the first time in 178 days, and celebrated an early goal as Jack Earing found space midway through the Clitheroe half and found Stenson, who bent his run before closing down on goal and finishing low past the onrushing keeper.

There were a few nods to how Town will play this season, with Martin Woods dropping deep to pick the ball up off the back three before trying to dictate play.

Ahead of him, Earing and Kieran Green were keen to get on the ball, while Stenson and Jake Hyde offered good movement up top.

Hyde was happy to receive the ball in tight areas and hold up play, while Stenson peeled wide more often to run at the defence.

It was a good workout for Town though, with Clitheroe boss and former Halifax midfielder David Lynch urging them on constantly, ensuring the hosts didn't let up too much.

A low cross from the right of the box was met by Craig Hobson on the slide, but Sam Johnson just about kept it out at close range.

A clever short free-kick from near the corner flag then ended with Oscar O'Neil's low shot across the box deflected just wide for the hosts.

Clitheroe were growing into the game, while Town needed to go up a gear in response.

Hyde and Stenson were largely starved of service, and up against a diligent Clitheroe defence, with Earing and Green given little time on the ball to feed them.

Kamar Moncrieffe cut in on his right foot before blasting a shot narrowly over for the home side as they continued to create the chances, but not get the goal they deserved.

It was all change for the second-half, with another youth teamer, Nick Crane, among the back three, plus trialists in goal, central midfield and up-front, alongside Jamie Allen.

The midfield trialist earned Town a free-kick after a slaloming run ten minutes into a more sedate second-half, from which the trialist striker's set-piece was parried away.

Neither side possessed the ingenuity or urgency to break the other down, and when they showed one, the other was lacking.

Jack Senior had got to the byline just after the restart, latching onto Tom Bradbury's lofted pass, but that didn't happen often enough, with Town's attacks through the centre tending to run into cul-de-sacs.

Of Town's second-half side, Bradbury caught the eye for his aerial ability and adeptness at playing the ball out from the back, as did Senior for his athleticism up and down the left flank.

Luke Summerfield had a low shot across goal parried away midway through the second 45, before Allen went close with a curling shot over the angle of post and bar after darting into the box at an angle.

Just as it looked like Clitheroe may be wilting, Kielen Adams lashed in a low shot across goal into the bottom left corner.

The hosts' approach throughout the evening was exemplified by the reaction by the home dugout, who leapt to their feet, punching the air.

Clitheroe could sense a winner, and seemed the more determined to find it, playing with more of a purpose than the visitors.

And it came when Adams converted a dangerous cross from the right at the far post, prompting more scenes of celebration among the hosts.

Clitheroe: Thompson; Foulds, Howson, Muir, Lonsdale; Maeico, Dent, O’Neil, Moncrieffe; Hobson, Feeney.

Scorer: Adams (68, 88)

Shots on target: 8

Shots off target: 5

Corners: 4

Halifax: (first-half) Johnson, Benn, Clarke, Trialist, Tralist, Woods, Green, Earing, Williams, Hyde, Stenson. (Second-half) Trialist, Maher, Bradbury, Crane, King, Summerfield, Trialist, Noble-Lazarus, Senior, Allen, Trialist.

Scorer: Stenson (5)

Shots on target: 4

Shots off target: 5

Corners: 2

Attendance: 365

Town man of the match: Jay Benn