A run in the Unibond Challenge Cup may not feature high on the list of priorities for Jim Vince and his team this season but nevertheless the FC Halifax Town was disappointed with his side's performance in a 2 v 1 home defeat to Curzon Ashton.

The Town players simply failed to deliver the high standards they set against Skelmersdale a week ago and 2 Michael Norton goals won the tie for the visitors with The Shaymen netting through a Scott Phelan strike.

Although Norton scored twice Curzon were thankful to keeper David Carnell who made a string of fine saves but Town lacked the cohesion of recent weeks which is perhaps explained by the number of changes to the starting line up, one of which saw a debut for former Bradford Park Avenue midfielder Tom Baker.

Colin Daniel had a shot charged down in the 5th minute with the ball breaking to Ashley Stott who was twice denied by Carnell as Town made the early running.James Ogoo tried to lob Jon Kennedy from 40 yards out at the other end but the keeper was able to avert the danger.

Daniel linked well with Jonny Smith on a number of occasions but the final pass was lacking. The Town midfielder tried his luck on a couple of occasions forcing further saves from Carnell.

Michael Norton, who has scored 25+ goals for Curzon, in each of the past 3 seasons was the danger man and he had penalty appeals waved away in the 39th minute then Carnell saved from Smith again with Daniel and Stott ready to pounce and the half ended without a goal.

The second period began badly for the Shaymen when Kris King's pass to Danny Meadowcroft was intercepted by Norton and he rounded Kennedy to score with ease.And, the same player had the ball in the net just 4 minutes later but he was adjudged to have fouled Kennedy.

Colin Daniel latched onto a loose ball, beat 3 men and cut infield before unleashing a left footed shot that slipped from Carnell's grasp but went just the wrong side of the left hand upright.Carnell then produced the save of the match when he dived to his right to deny the same player what looked like a certain goal.

Lincoln Adams volleyed over after a corner has only half cleared and just when it appeared to be one of those afternoon's Scott Phelan equalised in the 89th minute.Stott won the ball on the right and found Peter Moore and his low cross was turned home by Phelan from 15 yards out.

Extra time and the possibility of penalty's loomed but Norton had the final say when substitute Luke Hinsley failed to clear a cross and Norton volleyed home to win the tie for Curzon Ashton.

The Shaymen now return to Unibond League action with a trip to Bamber Bridge on Tuesday evening.

Attendance - 697.

Town: Kennedy, Moore, King (Hinsley), Adams, Meadowcroft, Jemson, Phelan, Baker, Stott, Daniel, J Smith (Ellis). Subs not used: Ellison, Allen, Coo.