FC Halifax Town's pre-season programme ended the way it began, with a win, against Trafford, just seven days before the new season kicks-off.

With Jonathan Hedge starting in goal and Aaron Hardy returning at right-back, Neil Aspin perhaps gave an indication of his intended starting line-up for the first game of the season next Saturday against Buxton.

Danny Holland and Jamie Vardy started together up-front, and hit it off immediately, with Holland dropping off the front and linking the play while Vardy was a constant threat on the shoulder of the last Trafford defender.

Vardy got his first chance after just two minutes when his run and lob almost found the net, but it turned out to be a warning of what was to come three minutes later when Vardy found himself clean through from Tom Baker's delightful through-ball before the forward executed an inch-perfect lob over the on-rushing 'keeper to notch his first goal in a Halifax shirt since his summer switch

At the other end, any Trafford attacks were swept up by Liam Hogan, who looks more accomplished at the heart of the Town defence with every game, while Mark Bower exuded composure at left-back.

Vardy could have had another after 21 minutes, but headed over Nick Gray's fierce cross at the near-post before Baker, putting in another tenacious display in midfield, almost caught the opposing 'keeper out with an imaginative free-kick that sailed just wide with everyone in the box expecting a cross.

Holland's movement led to a good chance for Baker, who saw his powerful shot well saved after a surging run forward into the space vacated by Holland.

The striker then had a similar chance himself a few minutes later, but again the goalkeeper was equal to it with a good stop.

Half-time substitute Nathan Taylor almost replicated Vardy's instant impact of the first-half, but his close-range shot from Scott Metcalfe's cross was well saved just after the interval. From the resulting corner, Bower's flick-on found Taylor again, but his overhead kick was both spectacular and wide.

Trafford had offered next to nothing in the Halifax penalty box, but suddenly Hedge was called upon to make two excellent saves from long-range efforts as the hosts pressed for an equaliser.

Scott Metcalfe's return to Shawe View lasted an hour, and his replacement Richard Marshall had a good chance to double the lead soon after his introduction, but the home 'keeper made another impressive save.

Baker also had a couple of long-range efforts fly just over as the Shaymen endeavoured for a decisive second goal. Trafford weren't out of it yet though, and had a thumping effort crash back against the bar with 15 minutes remaining, reinforcing the need for Town to find another goal, and they did in the last minute when Simon Garner neatly finished after Vardy's cross.

The substitution of half-time sub Scott Phelan after 77 minutes was a worrying sight with the new campaign on the horizon, with the midfielder already suffering an interrupted pre-season with injury.

Aspin may have sacrificed the result in exchange for a clean bill of health, but the win ensures his side go into next Saturday's opener with Buxton in confident mood.

Trafford: Shots On Target: 3, Shots Off Target: 6, Corners: 5

Halifax: Hedge, Hardy, Bower, Baker, Riley, Hogan, Gray, Winter, Holland, Vardy, Metcalfe

Goalscorers: Vardy (5), Garner (90)

Shots On Target: 5, Shots Off Target: 12, Corners: 9

Tom Scargill