Goals from Simon Heslop, Jon Shaw and Anthony Griffith helped Halifax Town record an emphatic 3 v 0 victory over Crawley Town at The Shay.

And, the victory margin may well have been even greater if it wasn't for the fact The Shaymen played the last 30 minutes with 10 men when Ryan Toulson received a 2^nd, and extremely harsh, yellow card from a Referee whose performance can only be described as poor.

But, the whistle blower cannot take the shine off a fine team performance in which the defence was determined and solid, the midfield in control and creative and the Jon Shaw / Darryn Stamp strike force threatening.

With Lewis Killeen injured Chris Wilder gave Barnsley loan man Simon Heslop a starting position on the right side of midfield as well as pairing Cortez Belle with Greg Young at the back.Up front Shaw and Stamp were given the job of posing the goal threat and that they certainly did.

Town had a 3^rd minute scare when Guy Madjo escaped Belle's challenge but ex Shay favourite Tyrone Thompson was unable to provide a near post finish.

The early Town attacks failed to produce a goal with resolute Crawley defending denying Stamp a 6^th minute shot.Steve Torpey beat his man but Ashley Bayes saved with his feet and a defender intervened with Stamp ready to pounce.

Simon Heslop gave Town a 27^th minute lead with a goal well worth waiting for.Greg Young's ball forward was flicked into Heslop's path by Shaw.The Barnsley man's first touch created the space and he finished with aplomb and The Shaymen had a deserved lead.

Stamp's looping header from a Toulson cross went just over the bar as Town searched for a second and it came within minutes.Heslop went form scorer to creator on the right when his low cross was controlled by Shaw, his turn was good and his left foot finish gave Bayes no chance whatsoever.

Torpey shot wide as a hungry Town side went in search of more goals and then linked with Doughty but a defender cleared with Shaw and Stamp in good positions.

An off the ball incident saw Jon Paul Pittman booked for Crawley and Toulson also received a yellow card for a touchline lunge as the first half ended with The Shaymen in control with a 2 v 0 lead.

Town flew out of the traps in the second half.Doughty's ball forward was flicked on by Stamp to Shaw and his cross was cleared for a corner.Greg Young rose well to meet Tom Kearney's ball in but his goal bound header hit a defender on the line and was cleared.

Cortez Belle's clearance saw Shaw and Stamp link well again to release Heslop.His first touch was heavy but he reached the ball before Bayes but the keeper blocked.However the ball rebounded to Anthony Griffith and he finished coolly for his 3^rd goal of the campaign.

Another off the ball incident that left Griffith on the turf was missed by all 4 officials as the game threatened to turn ugly.And, it has to be sent the constant remonstrating from Crawley Boss Steve Evans and his assistant didn't help matters.

Griffith received a yellow card following a foul then Toulson received his marching orders form his second caution after he apparently broke too quickly from the wall at a free kick.Whilst there may have only been 1197 in attendance most of them united to vent their anger at Referee Waugh.

Adam Legzdins made a splendid diving stop to deny Mustapha Carayol a goal and Town held firm to keep the visitors at bay.Daryl Taylor and Adam Quinn both joined the action as Chris Wilder saw his men secure 3 deserved points.

All in all this result will be remembered as a fine team effort where all 13 players who represented Halifax Town played their part.Chris Wilder will be hoping this acts as a catalyst for a surge up the Conference table but attentions now turn to next Saturday's FA Cup tie against Burton Albion at The Shay, kick off 3pm.