Ten-man Yeovil Town battled to a deserved 2-0 victory over FC Halifax Town.
Courtney Duffus’ double was enough to ensure Town returned to winning ways at Huish Park.
After Gold Omotayo’s early red card Glovers fans would have been forgiven for fearing the worst
However, the resilient green and whites would come out the victors with a memorable team performance.
Darren Sarll was forced into a number of changes due to suspensions and injuries ravaging his squad.
Following their loan signing, Morgan Williams and Gabriel Osho partnered each other at centre back, with Carl Dickinson returning to captain the side.
There also were returns for Chris Dagnall and Omotayo in the forward line as Jimmy Smith picked up an injury and Rhys Murphy being unable to attend due to personal matters.
Omotayo’s return to the side only lasted seven minutes as the tall forward was sent off for an alleged stamp on Jeff King.
The sending off didn’t dishearten the Glovers as chances continued to fall. Duffus went close in the 15th minute after some great work from Myles Hippolyte, the striker’s first time skewed wide of the mark.
Halifax did apply some pressure but couldn’t fashion anything clear cut as Town’s new centre half partnership Osho and Williams stood strong.
Charlie Lee also went close for Yeovil, after a well worked set-piece routine, the midfielder’s effort fell straight into Sam Johnson’s gloves.
In what was a outstanding team performance, Duffus finished off a brilliant team goal. After a driving run from Hippolyte, the midfielder then played the ball to Dagnall in the box, the former Bury man then beautifully found Duffus with a well-weighted cross, for the striker to head the green and whites into the lead.
The lead could have been doubled just minutes later as Lawson D’Ath played through Dagnall with a lofted pass, but his half-volley was placed narrowly wide.
At the break, Yeovil held a deserved lead, despite being a man down.
The visitors began the second half on-top, forcing the play onto the Yeovil backline but struggling to create anything clear-cut.
The Shaymen thought they had found a way in behind in the 53rd minute but a stunning challenge from Osho put an end to the attack.
Tempers came to a boil as the game became more of a battle, leading to a member of Halifax’s coaching staff being booked.
Despite late pressure from the visitors, it would be Yeovil who scored the second and final goal of the game. With everyone forward, Duffus capitalised on the lack of numbers defending, calmly slotting past Sam Johnson to secure a vital win.
Victory takes the green and whites up to third in the National League, chasing Barrow and Bromley in the places above them.
Yeovil Town: Nelson; Dickinson, Osho, Williams, Skendi; Lee, D’Ath, Hippolyte; Dagnall, Omotayo (Sent off- straight red), Duffus (Worthington).
Bookings: Lee, Nelson.
Subs not used: Rogers, Tilley, Ojo
Halifax Town: Johnson, Allen, Brown, Duckworth, Hanson, J.King (Williams), Nolan (McCoulsky), Staunton, Cooper, McAlinden (Redshaw), Sho-Silva.
Bookings: King, Staunton.
Subs not used: Appleyard,C.King, Williams.
