MATCH VERDICT: Solihull Moors 2-1 FC Halifax Town

Martin Woods had given Town a first-half lead, but that was quickly cancelled out by James Ball.

Town dominated the second-half before and after Hudlin's stunner, but couldn't turn that into a second goal, as Solihull clung on.

The result was harsh on The Shaymen, who can take plenty of positives despite their mini-run of wins coming to an end.

If they play like this, they'll soon start another.

Solihull looked disjointed on the ball early on, playing fairly direct from back-to-front to giant front-man Hudlin, who made Peter Crouch look like Danny DeVito, but not with enough care or accuracy.

Town were aggressive off the ball, and enjoyed plenty of possession for an away side, just not enough of it in Solihull's final third.

The imagination by the home side to try and lob Sam Johnson from a free-kick on the halfway line was at odds with a scrappy, niggly contest in which fouls far outweighed dribbles, crosses or shots.

But Solihull were caught sleeping by a short free-kick, and allowed Luke Summerfield to venture a further ten-to-15 yards upfield before his cross, which was converted in the middle by Woods.

The lead lasted just three minutes though as, from another free-kick into the box, Ball struck an excellent shot past Sam Johnson from around the edge of the box.

Jake Hyde had been forced off just before Town's opener, replaced by Gevaro Nepomuceno, but none of the forwards saw much of the ball, other than with their back to goal.

There was a pained shout of "take care of the ball" from the Solihull dugout after half-an-hour, with the hosts too often misplacing passes or lacking a first touch.

Town looked the more comfortable side in possession, although some of that had to do with The Shaymen's very effective pressing of the hosts, which helped starve Solihull's attackers of the ball.

Jack Earing was Town's only change in place of Kieran Green, but the playmaker had a frustrating opening half, seeing enough of the ball but not doing enough with it.

Behind him, Summerfield had again been Town's action man in midfield, showing his usual awareness and anticipation, and no shortage of energy for a 33-year-old.

Only five shots told the story of a first-half devoid of attacking flair or finesse, but there were encouraging signs for Town, who were frustrating Solihull and looked refreshed after the rigours of the previous couple of weeks. The Shaymen just needed a bit more composure.

Town forced three corners in a row at the start of the second-half, intermingled with two shots from the edge of the box by Summerfield, one tipped behind, one deflected over.

It was a terrific start to the second 45 from Town, who were quickest to every ball, getting Danny Williams and Jeff King further up the pitch and benefitting from Summerfield dictating play.

But from a long free-kick, Hudlin managed to get the ball under control before unleashing a thunderbolt across goal from 25 yards into the top right corner.

Solihull's tactic of trying to play off the big striker hadn't worked all night, but it finally came up trumps. And in style.

It was very harsh on Town after dominating since the restart, but it was now a good test of their character.

Williams squandered a big chance to equalise when Ryan Boot saved his driven shot from an angle inside the box.

Halifax were unhappy at the referee's performance as a series of decisions went against them, and time-wasting started to creep into Solihull's game.

Nyal Bell headed a corner wide - Town's tenth. It was pretty much one way traffic towards Solihull's goal, but Town couldn't convert their pressing into clear-cut chances, as corners were cleared and long-range shots fired off target.

Earing met Town's eleventh corner with a near post header, but could only meet it with a glancing flick across goal, before a lovely turn and shot from the Town man that flashed just wide.

There was only one side in it as Solihull tried to hold on to their slender lead.

Chris Millington threw his paper to the floor in frustration as Woods' swirling cross went right through the box without a touch.

Neill Byrne then headed against the post in added time as Town did everything but find the equaliser they deserved.

Solihull: Boot, Williams, Pearce, Coxe, Cranston, Storer, Gleeson, Hancox, Osborne (Sbarra 79), Ball, Hudlin. Subs not used: Ward, Clayton, Maycock, Archer.

Scorers: Ball (24), Hudolin (56)

Shots on target: 3

Shots off target: 3

Corners: 3

Halifax: Johnson, Byrne, Maher, Bradbury (Senior 84), King, Summerfield, Woods, Earing (Green 84), Williams, Hyde (Nepomuceno 21), Bell. Subs not used: Davison-Hale, Danns.

Scorer: Woods (21)

Shots on target: 4

Shots off target: 11

Corners: 11

Referee: Elliott Swallow

Town man of the match: Luke Summerfield - yet another excellent performance from the midfielder, combining tough tackling, superb reading of the game and his magnificent range of passing.