An action-packed Evo-Stik Premier League encounter on Tuesday night saw FC Halifax Town snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with a last minute 3-2 win over Chasetown, writes Dave Goddard.

In a match where both sides enjoyed a plethora of chances, things were goalless until the last 20 minutes when Ben Jevons was the first to find the net but the game exploded in it closing minutes with two goals in the last ten and a further two in stoppage time, Jamie Vardy’s third goal with almost the last kick of the match inflicting a cruel defeat on the hard-working Scholars.

A fast-paced start saw Chasetown take the game to the league leaders, Ben Jevons collected Richard Davies’s header in the fourth minute but his rocket shot went over the bar, while the first break for the Shaymen down the left saw Darren Acton dive low to smother Jamie Vardy’s cross.

Danny Holland then found space to the right of goal after some good work by Vardy but Acton came out to prevent a shooting opportunity and he saved from the former once more moments later. Both sides were playing lively, flowing football with plenty of chances emerging, the hosts beginning to turn up the wick as the half progressed creating plenty of work for Jimmy Turner and Chris Slater at the back.

Neither side could quite find the finishing touch despite their fine efforts, Danny Smith prevented from shooting by Town keeper Jonathan Hedge on 21 minutes before Gary Birch’s low shot trickled wide. Acton was alert to grab Simon Garner’s free kick four minutes later before vociferous penalty appeals from the Shaymen were turned down after John Branch and Holland collided in the area. Hedge then tipped away a swinging Mark Branch corner and the atmosphere inside the Shay began to heat up as both sides continued to attack.

Ben Jevons had the next chance for the Scholars but his low shot was gathered by Hedge and the impressive Acton punched away Garner’s corner to conclude a fine first 45 minutes.

A dicey moment at the start of the second half saw Acton gather Jimmy Turner’s header to prevent Lee Gregory from delivering a finishing touch to his attack, and the game became more physical thereafter. Birch then outpaced three defenders down the centre and squared the ball to Jevons but his tamely struck shot was outside the far post.

The Scholars defence then worked hard to block a trio of close-range chances following a game of pinball in the area started by a Vardy cross, and Acton was called into action on a few more occasions in the Chasetown goal including diving low to gather a pile driver from Scott Hogan on 65 minutes.

Gregory was next to threatening for the hosts but skied his effort high over the bar, but it was the Scholars who took the lead against the run of play on 71 minutes. A long range shot from substitute Ramone Stephens rebounded to Jevons and his shot found a gap through the chasing defence and slotted neatly into the corner of the net for his second goal in as many games.

The hosts fought back in style, Gregory and Vardy both seeing efforts go wide, but seven minutes from the end the equaliser came when a free kick from the halfway line could not be cleared and the ball fell to Vardy who stabbed his shot past Acton.

Liam Hogan could have given the Shaymen the lead three minutes later but his cannonball shot just cleared the crossbar, but in the 88th minute Halifax looked to have stolen it when a mix-up between Acton and Mark Branch allowed Vardy to loop the ball over the keeper and coolly add his second.

The home side’s lead lasted just three minutes before a break down the centre allowed Birch to lob the ball over keeper Hedge and draw the Scholars level.

In football however it’s never over until the final whistle blows, and with literally seconds to go Vardy completed his hat trick when he received a cross from the left and lashed the ball into the roof of the net to leave the champions-elect jubilant and Chasetown heartbroken as their sterling effort went unrewarded.

Chasetown: Acton, J Branch, M Branch, Turner, Slater, Teesdale, Davies, Parsons, Birch, Smith (Stephens, 67 mins), Jevons

Other Subs: Cohen, Bridgwater, Westwood, Saunders (not used)