FC Halifax Town were held to a dramatic late draw at Brackley as both sides exchanged penalties in a frantic closing spell, with Will Harris’ 20th goal of the season ultimately cancelled out just minutes later
Town travelled down to Brackley looking to do the double over them after beating them 2-0 in the reverse fixture. Adam Lakeland made just one change from the weekend’s loss to Aldershot, as Adam Adetoro replaced Kieron Morris.
The Shaymen made a quick start to the game, with Harris and Warburton having early efforts blocked, while an early yellow card was also shown to Shaun Hobson.
A quarter of an hour into the tie, a surging run from Will Smith created a golden opportunity for the neon-yellow-kitted visitors. Smith slid the ball into the path of Will Harris, who swivelled sharply before crashing his effort against the outside of the post.
The latter stages of the half saw the home side take control of proceedings. Danny Newton saw an effort well blocked by Cody Johnson before Michael Nottingham headed over from five yards following a sumptuous delivery from Matt Lowe.
The final chance of the half also fell to the hosts, who had enjoyed plenty of success from set pieces in the opening 45 minutes. This time, Ben Wodskou’s header was directed towards goal, but Sam Johnson reacted sharply to get down and make the save.
Jevon Mills replaced Will Smith before the break as he was forced off through injury, having also just picked up a yellow card.
The first 25 minutes of the second half offered little action, despite the Shaymen probably having the slightly better of it. Brackley did, however, come close through substitute Morgan Roberts, but his powerful effort was claimed well by Johnson.
Another chance came when Cody Johnson and Josh Hmami combined well on the left. The latter then got to the byline before shooting from a tight angle, but Cameron Gregory saved well.
In search of a breakthrough, Halifax introduced both Kieron Morris and Angelo Cappello, as Will Harris and Josh Hmami made way.
Shortly after his introduction, Morris made a striding run through the middle as the game opened up. He had options to his left and right but chose to go alone, and his low effort was saved by Gregory.
With four minutes to go, it was nearly a calamitous moment for Newton as he headed back towards his own goal from a Halifax corner. Luckily for him, Gregory was alert to the danger.
Just two minutes from time, Cappello beat his man on the right flank with a superb touch before being tripped to the ground. The referee pointed straight to the spot without hesitation. Up stepped Will Harris, who went for power and converted to send the fans behind the goal into ecstasy as he celebrated his 20th of the campaign.
Two minutes later however, Brackley were awarded a penalty of their own following handball protests. Shane Byrne was the man to take the spot kick, and he duly slotted it into the bottom left corner. Owen Bray was introduced immediately following the penalty as Halifax looked for a winner.
The home side then came inches away from a winner late into the eight added minutes as Kian Harratt fired over from an angle, this proved the last opportunity of the match.
Brackley Town
21 Gregory, 8 Brown (4 Price 89), 23 Byrne ?, 19 Lilly, 11 Lowe, 5 Morrison, 9 Newton (27 Hall 89), 12 Nottingham, 22 Pendleton, 7 Pollock (10 Roberts 69), 15 Wodskou (29 Harratt 69)
Subs: 6 Dean, 37 Haynes, 13 Worby
FC Halifax Town
1 Johnson ?, 3 Adetoro, 4 Hugill, 5 Hobson, 8 Hmami (28 Morris 73) 9 Harris, 15 Smith (16 Mills 42), 19 Warburton, 22 Kawa (11 Cappello 73), 30 Johnson, 36 Latty-Fairweather (17 Bray 90 + 3_
Subs: 12 Ford, 18 Hoti, 20 Jenkins
Referee: Scott Jackson
Goals: Harris 88 (pen), Byrne 90 + 3 (pen)
Yellow Cards: Wodskou 1, Hobson 3, Lilly 25, Pollock 29, Smith 38, Brown 88
Red Cards: None
Attendance 539 (44 away)
Brackley Town 1 FC Halifax Town 1
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