Mauling should spur the Shaymen

Town boss Jim Harvey has called on his players to show Grimsby what they’re made of tomorrow (3.0), four months after being hammered 7-0 by the Mariners. Halifax suffered their heaviest defeat at Blundell Park in October since being thrashed by the same score at Macclesfield in March 1996.

Since then, Harvey has overseen a dramatic turnaround in form which has given them a fighting chance of escaping relegation.

Town had gone 13 games unbeaten before last Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Forest Green, and Harvey wants his side to put in a much-improved performance from their horror show at Grimsby.

“Forest Green are a marker for us - we have to get to that level,” Harvey said.

“Grimsby are doing very well and they’ll be full of confidence. They beat us 7-0 in the reverse fixture and they’re a very attacking side.

“They’re very fit, very sharp all over the park and have a number of good players.

“The performance they put in was excellent - as good as I’ve seen at this level this season.

“We have improved since then and I hope that will be reflected in our performance come Saturday. There’s no resting on our laurels - every point is going to be needed.”

The defeat to Forest Green was the first time Halifax had failed to score since Harvey’s appointment, and the Town manager admits he is concerned about his team’s goal threat following the departure of Shaun Tuton to Barnsley.