FC Halifax Town return to Yorkshire with a point after a battling performance in Somerset.
Halifax travelled to Yeovil, naming one change as Will Hugill returned to the starting eleven in place of Kieron Morris.
It was a slow start to proceedings, with the first shot of the game not arriving until the 15th minute. The in-form Jay Turner-Cooke found space in a central area, allowing him to shoot from 25 yards, but it rose high and wide of Jed Ward’s goal.
A brilliant ball from Turner-Cooke then saw Dylan Crowe through, but his cross evaded the onrushing Town men. The Shaymen picked the ball back up quickly as Josh Hmami struck from distance, but it was comfortable for Ward.
The best chance of the half for the visitors came with 35 minutes on the clock; Ryan Jones looked to play Terrell Works down the line, Jevon Mills cut it out initially; however, Works managed to reclaim possession before bending an effort wide of the far post.
The last 10 minutes of the half spelt a period of domination for Halifax, with Hmami and Turner-Cooke both stinging the palms of Ward. A series of corners also caused chaos in the Glovers’ box, but Town couldn’t find the breakthrough as the game reached the halfway stage.
Much like the first half, it was a slow start to proceedings in the second period; Cody Johnson did, however, pick up an early yellow for stopping a Yeovil counter.
The home side was awarded a free kick in a dangerous position. Captain Brett McGavin struck it well, but it dipped inches wide of Sam Johnson’s post. Halifax then made their first change of the afternoon as Billy Waters replaced Will Hugill.
A poorly executed goal kick gave possession to Harris in a promising position on the edge of the box; he turned quickly before getting a shot away, but he didn’t manage the required power to beat Ward.
With 20 minutes to play, Mills went down injured, forcing Lakeland into making his second change of the afternoon; David Kawa was the man to enter the fray as Halifax reshuffled at the back. Thomas Lavery then replaced Dylan Crowe.
The Shaymen pushed hard for the winner in the closing stages. Turner-Cooke chipped a teasing ball into the area, Waters held off his man, allowing the ball to drop to Kawa. His effort was blocked, the ball then fell into the path of Harris, who tried to smash home, but his effort was thwarted by resolute defending.
Just seconds later Town were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal; Turner-Cooke hit it well, but it was just high of the mark.
Soon after the Glovers broke quickly through Works, he then played James Daly down the line, who slept before finding his footing again; he cut inside, but his effort spelt no danger for Johnson. Will Smith picked up a caution following this passage of play.
The town’s final changes saw the introduction of Owen Bray and Kieron Morris, with two minutes of normal time to play.
It looked like it was going to take a moment of magic to win this affair, and Turner-Cooke was inches away from delivering this. He gained possession on the halfway line before spotting Ward off his line; he took aim from the best part of 55 yards, seeing his effort strike the woodwork.
The home team then had a chance to win it themselves, as the game ticked into three minutes of additional time. Jones dribbled his way into the Halifax box before trying to slide past Johnson; however, his effort missed the target narrowly. After a frantic end to the game, both sides were forced to settle for a point apiece.
Yeovil Town
1 Ward, 10 Jones, 2 Mukena, 15 Ellison, 21 Greenslade, 5 Cousin-Dawson, 14 McGavin, 38 Works, 36 McCoy-Splatt (23 Page 73). 33 Merry (18 Perrett 73), 11 Daly
Subs: 34 Biss, 22 Gould, 31 Nardiello
FC Halifax Town
1 Johnson ©, 19 Warburton (17 Bray 82), 15 Smith, 24 Palmer, 16 Mills (22 Kawa 72), 30 Johnson, 27 Turner-Cooke, 4 Hugill (26 Waters 56), 8 Hmami, 23 Crowe (33 Lavery 73), 9 Harris (28 Morris 82)
Subs: 12 Ford, 18 Hoti
Referee: Robert Massey-Ellis
Goals: None
Yellow Cards: C Johnson 53, Smith 80, Greenslade 87, Lavery 90
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 2647 (60 away)
Yeovil Town 0 FC Halifax Town 0
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