Gulls wonder goal is Torq of the Town
Kevin Roberts starting just in front of the back four, and staying there even when the injured Bolton was replaced by Matt Pearson.
And Roberts was impressive, although more often than not, Halifax couldn’t build on the possession he had won back.
Adam Smith was Town’s best outlet, turning Levi Ives this way and that before providing a peach of a cross, but turned away in frustration when none of his team-mates were there for a tap-in.
Then from a poor backpass by Scott McManus, for the second consecutive Saturday, Matt Glennon was forced into a first-time clearance that let in Ashley Yeomans.
But Kevin Roberts produced a superb block before Louis Briscoe fired wide and Town were off the hook.
There was another let off just after half-time when hesitancy between Marc Roberts and Glennon let in Toby Ajala, but he lost control of the ball with the goal gaping.
Town created three good chances after the interval, with Jack Muldoon firing over inside the box, Kevin Roberts heading wide after an excellent move culminated in Smith’s cross, while a superb through ball by McManus then played in Jamie Jackson for the best chance of the three, but he was denied by Lavercombe’s outstretched left-foot.
Those missed opportunities came back to haunt Town soon afterwards though when Torquay’s two substitutes combined when Courtney Richards’s flick on ran perfectly for John Campbell, whose scuffed finish rolled agonisingly beyond Glennon.
If that finish was fortuitous then Kadell Daniel’s effort was anything but as his magnificent free-kick flew past Glennon from 30 yards three minutes later.
As far as goals at The Shay this season go, only Woking’s Guiseppe Sole arguably scored a better one. Halifax: Glennon, K Roberts, M Roberts, Bolton (Pearson 17), Hutchison, McManus, Smith, Marshall, Hatfield, Muldoon (Schofield 83), Hattersley (Jackson 46). Subs not used: Senior, Williams. Shots on target: 3 Shots off target: 6 Corners: 5 Torquay: Lavercombe, Downes, Pearce, Harding, Dawson, Ives, Briscoe (Campbell 61), Daniel, Yeoman, Ajala, McQuilkin (Richards 68). Subs not used: Rice, Young, Gueguen. Scorers: Campbell (71), Daniel (74) Shots on target: 3 Shots off target: 2 Corners: 4 Attendance: 1,175 Town man of the match: Kevin Roberts