MATCH VERDICT: FC Halifax Town 2-3 Maidenhead United

The Shaymen were badly out-of-sorts and trailed at the break after an error-strewn first-half, with Kieran Green's goal sandwiched between two from Danilo Orsi.

Halifax dug deep and dragged themselves level for the second time through Tom Bradbury, only for substitute Josh Coley to win it late on.

For only the second time this season, there was no Luke Summerfield, with the highly influential midfielder ruled out for up to three months with a partially torn ACL.

But there was better news with Nathan Clarke and Jake Hyde both warming up before kick-off, with the latter potentially set to return next week.

Jack Earing was given the initial task of replacing Summerfield, moving back alongside Green, with Jeff King in the number 10 role.

Town were sloppy from the start, with Earing conceding possession cheaply, Niall Maher missing an attempted clearance, then Maher and Neill Byrne getting in each other's way and presenting a shot on goal from Orsi.

But this time, Halifax didn't get away with it, as hesitancy saw a seemingly harmless ball forward not dealt with, allowing Orsi the chance to ghost onto it and sweep a shot past Sam Johnson.

Dan Sparkes' free-kick had brought a good save from Johnson before that, with Maidenhead starting better.

The visitors had been bright, closing Halifax down, passing purposefully and staying in shape.

Maidenhead came with a 4-1-4-1 formation, so had Town exactly where they wanted them: a goal down and chasing the game.

"We need something" yelled Byrne after half-an-hour. The obvious answer was Luke Summerfield.

Without him, Town were like an American Football team without their quarterback, lacking the engine and drive that Summerfield has provided so effectively this season.

The pace and movement of Jamie Allen was missed too, with Tavhon Campbell making his presence felt up-front, but Lewis Mansell struggling to make an impression alongside him.

The Shaymen were badly lacking in composure and energy, with a King free-kick their only effort of note.

But they did steadily find their feet, with Senior forcing a save from Taye Ashby-Hammond after a quick break forward, and then Green fizzing a shot across goal and wide from Earing's pass.

Maidenhead's top-scorer Sam Barrett should have doubled their lead with a free header from a corner, but directed it straight at Johnson.

And Town made him pay when Green met a lofted free-kick with a header back across goal into the bottom corner.

But just when it appeared Town would get chance to start again at half-time, a miscued back pass by Maher handed Maidenhead another corner, from which Orsi converted after Barratt's thundering header somehow stayed out.

Dom Tear's first start for the club lasted until a few minutes after half-time, with Martin Woods tasked with bringing some control and creativity, while the ineffective Mansell didn't last much longer, replaced by Allen.

As expected, Town dominated the play, with Maidenhead content to protect their lead.

The question was whether The Shaymen had enough guile and could play with enough urgency to restore parity.

There were hints that it was perhaps one game too many after away trips to Bromley and Wrexham, with Town lacking the freshness and vigour of those two games.

Maidenhead had played on Saturday and Wednesday, albeit their first games for a month, but were sharp and alert.

Campbell was lively for Town though, showing good touch and movement, and helped drag the hosts back into the contest.

After the striker saw a shot from an acute angle turned behind, his flick-on from Woods' pass won The Shaymen a corner, from which Bradbury headed them level, capping a good spell of pressure.

But there was one more twist in the tale as substitute Coley fired in from close range after Johnson did brilliantly to keep out his initial header.

That was the killer blow for Town, although Green nearly produced a magnificent riposte with a mazy run but his low shot flashed just wide of the far post.

Halifax: Johnson, Byrne, Maher, Bradbury, King, Tear (Woods 52), Green, Earing, Senior, Mansell (Allen 55), Campbell. Subs: Davison-Hale, Benn, Belehouan.

Scorers: Green (39), Bradbury (77)

Shots on target: 4

Shots off target: 9

Corners: 7

Maidenhead: Ashby-Hammond, Wells, Parry, Massey, Sheckleford, Comley (Twimasi 89), Ince, Upward, Sparkes (Coley 69), Orsi (Kelly 83), Barratt. Subs not used: Wiltsire, Smile.

Scorers: Orsi (25, 45), Coley (86)

Shots on target: 4

Shots off target: 2

Corners: 6

Referee: Andrew Kitchen

Town man of the match: Kieran Green. Covered a lot of ground, took his goal well and worked hard in another strong display.