Evo-Stik Premier League
FT: FC Halifax 3 Kendal Town 0
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GOALS from Tom Barker and Lee Gregory (2) put Kendal Town to the sword as the Black and Whites lost 3-0 at FC Halifax on Tuesday night.

Town started brightly but after Halifax took a 31st minute lead from the spot after a dubious call by the referee, it never really looked like the visitors would get back in the match.

As early as the third minute Keiran Walmsley unleashed a free kick from 35 yards but Danny Lowe managed to hook a foot to the kick and cleared it for a throw.

The flat surface suited the visitors as they looked to press the Halifax goal and the only thing missing from an Adam Sumner cross was Cieran Donnelly's control and the ball was taken off him and cleared.

A lively encounter against the league's top side threatened to boil over as the home fans grew incensed with a string of dubious referreeing decisions, but they were soon celebrating.

On 31 minutes the referee pointed to the spot when James Dean appeared to fall over a Tow defender, but the referee deemed him to have been pulled down.

Tom Baker stepped up to slot home to give the hosts a lead and they doubled their lead just four minutes later.

Good link up play from Jamie Vardy and Simon Garner on the left wing ended with the ball in the net when Vardy's cross was headed home from six yards by Lee Gregory.

Boss Lee Ashcroft changed his attacking line up on the hour mark with Lee Mulvaney and Dave Foster replacing Rory Winters and Mark Jackson, but the end result was the same with keeper Jonathan Hedge rarely troubled.

Halifax meanwhile picked up where they left off and showed just why they are runaway leaders.

On 50 minutes it should have been 3-0 to the hosts when Vardy cut into the midfield from the left wing and unleashed a shot, but his strike went just over the top of Dickenson’s goal.

Town’s first real attack of the second half came on 68 minutes when Mulvaney was pulled down on the edge of the box. Shaun Gray lined up a strike but instead opted for a quick pass.

Unfortunately for Town, three ricocheted shots were blocked and eventually cleared.

And the sucker punch came for Town just moments later when a superb ball from the left wing by Vardy was met by Gregory for his second of the match as he poked home in front of the hapless Dickenson.

Mulvaney and Foster added pace up front for Town, who had to lump the ball upfield in the hope of a fightback, but the end ball was not working out for Kendal and Halifax looked more likely to add to their tally.

Town must now turn their attentions to Saturday’s home game against Buxton which many fans will be deeming a ‘must win’ clash as Town look to push into the play-off places.

HOW THEY RATED: Steve Dickenson 7, Keiran Walmsley 6, Adam Sumner 7, Stuart Howson 7, Shaun Gray 7, Gary Stopforth 6, Adam Carden 6, Mark Jackson 6 (rep Lee Mulvaney 60mins), Rory Winters 7 (rep Dave Foster 60mins), Ashley Dunn 6, Cieran Donnelly 7.

Subs: Mat Ashcroft, George Melling, Paul Osbourne.

Star man: Adam Sumner – most consistent player lately, improving with every game Att: 1,232