A shot shy City suffered their second consecutive away defeat leaving themselves on the edge of the play offs as other teams around them won.

City were unchanged from Tuesday's last gasp victory over Grays and were looking to cement their promotion challenge with a repeat of the result against Halifax back in early October at St. James Park. But on a bright day, in front of 1591, City were left not only licking their wounds, but nursing injuries to captain Chris Todd, Steve Tully who was stretchered off late on, and Adam Stansfield who finished the game clutching his side.

Halifax started the quicker and within three minutes had forced three corners, the first after a mix up in midfield between Gill and Challinor. On two occasions City had failed to mark the man going to receive the ball short and were fortunate that a header did not force Jones into making any save. As City failed to make any impact in the initial stages Halifax won a free kick near the right corner of City's penalty area after Edwards was adjudged to have pushed Killeen. As the ball was floated over, an unmarked Greg Strong, on his Halifax debut, rose, unmarked, to head beyond Jones and into the corner to give Halifax the lead.

This seemed to wake City from their early slumbers and Mackie was soon outpacing his marker and heading for the penalty area. He carried the ball 15 yards towards goal then instead of shooting squared the ball towards Challinor but it was easily cut out. A further free kick after a foul on Challinor 35yards out came to nothing.

Set pieces seemed the only way either side was going to threaten though and after Halifax had messed up a free kick in a similar position to that which they scored from, Billy Jones fired a return in from 25 yards, after a foul on Elam, but Mawson in the Halifax goal saved easily. From the 20 minute mark on though, it looked like City had begun to settle and started playing some good passing football. Firstly a Challinor flick found Mackie, who in turn played the ball out to Elam on the left. His cross evaded the defenders and found Challinor 8 yards out, but he was unable to direct his header on goal. Five minutes later a throw on the halfway line from Jones was played through Gill, Tully, Mackie and Carlisle before a ball in for Challinor ended in a shot being
blocked for a corner.

But Halifax were causing problems when they got forward and Edwards in particular was having a tough time against the returning Darryn Stamp. A half-cleared corner found it's way back into City's area but was mis-hit wide by a stretching Halifax forward. Against this though City had forced more corners after some hesitant defending which petered out to nothing. Initially after Gill had collected the ball beyond the far post and crossed where Mawson caught comfortably, then when a short corner routine between Elam and Carlisle was snuffed out at source.

Another City move shortly before the break was stopped when a defender handled Carlisle's cross. Edwards had initially intercepted as Halifax built an attack and after a 5 man move City were awarded the free kick on the left edge of Halifax's penalty area. Mawson chose to punch Jones' ball in and was unchallenged as the second ball in was played too deep. Tully was then booked after catching a Town player in a 50/50 challenge and as the half closed out Halifax had a great chance to increase their lead. Neat, incisive passing put Stamp through into the left half of the area, one on one with Jones. Jones stood tall and as
Stamp tried to lift the ball over him, he tipped it away for a corner, which he caught easily. One minute of added time passed without incident.

The second half began with no substitutions and City looked far better than the early stages of the first half. A Challinor ball forward had just too much weight for Mackie, then after the latter had chased a seemingly lost cause into the corner Carlisle's cross and Elam's pull back resulted in Gill firing over. On 54 minutes the first of what would become contentious penalty shouts came from Halifax as Todd appeared to lean into a forward as they chased into the box. The referee waved the appeals away and City got back to building attacks. Another smooth passing move involving Gill, Buckle, Tully and Carlisle gave Elam an opening at the near post. But as he stooped to header under pressure he got too much of the ball and put it wide of the near post. Todd then departed, holding his thigh, to be replaced by Richardson and passed the captain's armband to Gill.

Within a minute of the change City were level, and for the second match in a row had Billy Jones to thank. Challinor was awarded a free kick 25 yards out, just right of centre, when, in truth, the referee could have played an advantage as the ball had fallen to Mackie. Jones and Elam stood over the dead ball and as Elam ran over it Jones lashed the ball into the far corner with Mawson barely moving. City had deserved the equaliser and now hoped to push on and claim a valuable 3 points. Wright was booked after a poor challenge on Buckle, Mackie reacted to the late lunge but was ushered away from the incident by an alert Carlisle.

But Halifax weren't done yet and after Smelz replaced Stamp just after the hour, Forrest had a good chance from the edge of the area after hesitation between Richardson and Edwards. Jones saved well though. City then had their last clear cut chance of the afternoon as good work by Mackie fed Challinor. His left foot shot was saved without trouble with Elam also well placed. That was Challinor's last real contribution to the game as with 25 minutes to go he was brought off for Logan. Challinor sat on the bench a frustrated figure at not being able to fashion chances and play with the creativity he has in recent weeks. He was soon in the action as he headed back and over from a Jones corner after a Mackie shot had been cleared.

With 15 minutes to go City made their final substitution with Stansfield replacing Mackie but only 2 minutes later City once again found themselves behind. Edwards was caught underneath a clearance and Smelz ran in behind him. As the defence recovered the ball was played to Forrest who, cutting in from the left corner of the area, fired low and hard into Jones' right hand corner.

Before City could fashion any chances though, they were forced down to 10 men. Smelz slid in and caught Tully late and as he was treated a stretcher was requested. The injury required seven stitches and thankfully he was able to travel home with the rest of the team. Smelz was cautioned for his lunge and City, having already made their substitution had to play the last 5 minutes a man short.

With 3 minutes to go though City were denied what looked a clear cut penalty. Elam received the ball on the left and as he backed the defender into the area he was fouled. To a man, the nearest City players and the 172 away fans cried for a penalty. The referee only awarded a free kick despite the marks from the challenge appearing to be in the penalty area. Elam was booked for his protests, and Carlisle wasted the free kick over the bar.

Four minutes of added time were signalled by the fourth official and City had 2 more chances. Firstly, a long Gill throw found Stansfield six yards out with his back to goal. He was unable to turn though and amid half hearted penalty claims the ball was cleared. Stansfield then found himself free in the inside left channel and with the angle against him tried to square the ball but only found a covering defender. The referee blew for full time shortly afterwards consigning City to their fourth defeat in four conference meetings at the Shay.

So Exeter trooped away to find that, although Oxford lost, York, Morecambe and Burton had all gained victories and can now push Exeter out of the play off places with their games in hand. However, over the next two Saturdays, sandwiching an away trip to in form Northwich Victoria, City have the chance, at home, to regain position against York and Morecambe so it is very much still in their own hands. With their good run of results in the league at home this year City should still be confident that they can achieve this.

City: P. Jones, Tully, Todd (Richardson 55), Edwards, B. Jones, Carlisle, Buckle, Gill, Elam, Challinor (Logan 64), Mackie (Stansfield
75)

Unused subs: Rice, Cozic