Heath were denied a famous victory by a last-gasp penalty when they travelled to Preston Grasshoppers in their debut National League 2 North encounter on Saturday.

In the first game of the new campaign, the Halifax team continued the form that earned them the Regional 1 North East title last season, scoring more tries than their illustrious opponents but losing out to a cruel late penalty in an agonising 27-26 defeat.

After a busy summer of recruitment and training, Heath gave debuts to eight new signings which included an additional two substitutes in a squad of 20 players and with a healthy group of supporters in attendance, they were looking to get off to a good start.

Grasshoppers kicked off deep into the visitors’ half as Heath collected the ball and fired it back up-field. A mistake from the home side saw Chris Johnson kick for touch from the penalty.

Alex McFadden goes on the attack at Preston. Pic: John Baker

placeholder image — Alex McFadden goes on the attack at Preston. Pic: John Baker

Line out ball was collected by Ben Stringer and as Heath drove for the try-line, Tom Egan was on hand to dummy over for Heath's opening try, converted by Johnson, with only two minutes played.

From the restart, Egan caught ball and booted it back into the home side's half and yet another mistake enabled Heath to keep possession.

The visitors remained patient going through the phases and another infringement by the home side saw Johnson find touch from the penalty. The line out was once again secured, Heath drove forward and Pete Hampshire bounced his way over the line for their second try, again converted by Johnson.

Heath led 14-0 with eight minutes on the clock and the home crowd were stunned.

Jake Haynes scored two tries for Heath. Pic: Dave Garforth

However, Preston responded and from winning line out ball, drove over for a score to reduced the arrears on 12 minutes.

This did not faze Heath and they replied with some slick handling and, with Egan controlling the game, the Grasshoppers, were under the cosh.

With 25 minutes played the home side attacked and they were rewarded with a converted try that levelled the scores.

Chris Moore and Pete Hampshire made way for Dan Smith and Seif Boussaada as Heath looked to regroup but a couple of mistakes saw the home side capitalise; taking the lead with a slick move to go under the posts.

Tom Egan scores Heath's first try of the game. Pic: Bev Clough

Heath then gave away a penalty and Grasshoppers took a 24-14 lead into half time.

Tom Egan was replaced by Zac Baker as the visitors pressed for a score and, from a line out, with Grasshoppers struggling, Jake Haynes looked to have scored but the referee disallowed the try and sin-binned a Grasshoppers player.

Against 14, Heath began to turn the screw as Chris Moore and Jonny Cole replaced Tom Clough and Josh Buller. Following constant pressure from Heath, Chris Johnson slipped a pass to Jake Haynes and the speedy winger touched down in the corner to make it 24-19 with a quarter of the game left to play.

Heath continued to play possession rugby as they probed to find an opening and once again Johnson and Haynes linked up well for the wingman to cross over the try-line for a bonus point fourth try. Johnson added the extras and Heath led 26-24 with ten minutes remaining.

Skipper Harvey Keighley-Payne looks for a way through. Pic: Bev Clough

Grasshoppers mounted an onslaught but some stunning defensive work from Heath kept them at bay. Ben Stringer and Jake Haynes had to come off as the home side continued to press but, deep into injury time, they were awarded a penalty, which was converted and Grasshoppers had snatched the win.

Heath went into the game looking to put in a workmanlike performance in their first ever National League encounter and they can take great heart from their excellent, battling display.