HALIFAX keeper Mawson's first involvement came on 28 minutes when he came from his line to punch clear Harkness's teasing free kick under pressure from Christie and Constable.

The Shaymen then launched a quick counter attack after Kearney's probing ball found Torpey only for the lively winger to be brilliantly tackled by Whitehead.

Uhlenbeek was cautioned on 29 minutes for a foul on Blackwood who was just too quick for him.

Harriers, who had been mostly penned inside their own half up until that point, fortuitously took the lead against the run of play on 31 minutes.

Russell neatly flicked the ball out to the right wing where Constable whipped over a pacy first time cross.

Halifax defender Toulson tried to take evasive action to clear the ball but contrived to glance a header past his own keeper from six yards out.

The first half petered out into something of a non-event after the goal with the ball either in the air or stuck in the boggy midfield area.

Russell did have a half chance from a rare raid forward on the stroke of half time, but his tame shot trickled through to the keeper.

Halifax launched an attack moments later when Uhlenbeek got to the byline but his right wing cross was cleared behind by Kenna.