Maidenhead 0-0 FC Halifax Town: A point was a fair result, says Heath

Halifax were under the cosh early on, with goalkeeper Sam Johnson making some important saves, before Town improved after the interval in a more even second-half.

“I was disappointed with our first-half performance, although it was tough going up the slope,” Heath reflected. “But I don’t think we were at it first-half.

“We were second best in a few areas. I didn’t see that athleticism about us and we were on the back foot.

“In little patches we played some half-decent stuff but in general we were second best.

“It was a bit more even second-half. But it’s a tough place to come and they know how to play the slope very well.

“They’ve got some good athletes and they put you under pressure so I’m pleased with the point.”

Heath felt Town should have been awarded a goal when they converted a second-half corner, but was happier with his team’s performance after the interval.

“I think we got better as the game went on,” he said. “We grew into the game.

“We scored a goal but it’s a bizarre one when the linesman rules it out for (a corner) going out of play.

“Because of going up the slope we didn’t engage them quickly enough first-half and were happy to mark spaces all over the pitch.

“We gave them too much space to play in and drop balls in. We allowed them to put too many balls on us and turn us around.

“But we stood up strong, put their bodies in the way and got closer to them second-half.

“I think a point was a fair result.”

Heath praised the performance of goalkeeper Johnson during the game.

“I thought he was excellent,” said the Town boss. “We’ve probably been critical of him in the last couple of weeks but he took a lot of crosses when we needed him to.

“He looked big and strong again and made some good decisions.”

On the return to captain Matty Brown, Heath said: “Nice to have him back and he did well enough.

“That’s just an ongoing problem and we have to manage him.

“It’s not an ideal situation.”

And on the return of winger Matty Kosylo, Heath said: “It was always our plan if we could to get him on second-half, especially going down the slope.

“He’s not fully fit. He’s had a couple of training sessions but it was nice to get him on the pitch for 20 minutes.

“It’s done him the world of good.”