The Shaymen have crashed out of the FA Cup at the first round stage, ending dreams of a lucrative run, losing 4 v 0 to Burton Albion.
And, there can be no question that the pivotal moment of what until that point was a promising performance came in the 25th minute when Anthony Griffith received a red card following a professional foul.Daryl Clare's ensuing free kick gave The Brewers the lead and they ran out comfortable winners with 3 further 2nd half goals.
As expected Rob Scott replaced the suspended Ryan Toulson in the Town starting line up after 2 months out with a hamstring injury, this being the only change from the team that thumped Crawley Town so convincingly a week ago.
Early corners to both sides came to nothing and it took until the 11th minute for the games first shot when Keith Gilroy dragged his effort wide from 18 yards.Town responded with Jon Shaw and Darryn Stamp combining well to set up Tom Kearney who let fly from 30 yards but his rising effort cleared the bar.
Steve Torpey's shot was deflected for a corner then Shaw combined with Simon Heslop with Brewers keeper Kevin Poole quickly off his line to avert the danger.Torpey again tested Poole with another low shot as Town searched for a goal.
Matt Doughty received a yellow card for a touchline foul.Aaron Webster met Gilroy's cross but header over to somehow win a corner for his side.
A midfield mix up led to Shane Harrard latching onto Kearney's pass and heading for goal.Anthony Griffith got back but tugged the Burton man back 20 yards from goal and received his 2nd red card of the season.The pain for The Shaymen wads doubled when Daryl Clare curled his shot high into the net past Adam Legzdins.
Rob Scott received a yellow card for a foul then Town regrouped with Steve Bushell replacing Stamp and they responded with a Kearney shot that was off target.Gilroy shot over in injury time and the fist half ended with a single goal advantage to The Brewers.
The second half couldn't have got off to a worse start for Chris Wilders men.Cortez Belle took too long with a clearance which was charged down by John McGrath.The midfielder headed towards goal and beat Legzdins with ease to double the Burton Advantage.
Further Town changes saw Belle and Doughty replaced by Daryl Taylor and Jake Wright.Taylor looked lively and was fouled on the left side of the pitch but Burton dealt with the free kick.
A Kevin Poole goal kick was flicked on to Daryl Clare and he broke away down the right side of the penalty.His shot beat Legzdins at the near post and Burton enjoyed a 3 goal lead.And he almost completed his hat-trick minutes later but shot across goal for a good position.
Burton didn't have to wait long for their 4th goal; McGrath finishing after substitute Marc Goodfellow had beat 2 defenders.
The Shaymen fought hard and Jon Shaw almost pulled a consolation goal back when his goal bound header from Taylor's cross hit a defender.
Tom Kearney received a 90th minute yellow card as frustrations got the better of a Town side how must now regroup ahead of next Saturday's trip to Stevenage Borough.
Who was your man of the match this afternoon ? Text HFAX and the surname to 88442 before 12pm tomorrow and we'll announce the winner tomorrow afternoon. (Texts cost your normal price).
What were your views on the game; let us know on the official Halifax Town message board - Find Out What the Press Are Saying about the game.
