LETDOWN 

Despair for fans- and McNiven

DEBUTANT David McNiven took just 10 minutes to make his mark with Halifax Town then saw his efforts squandered at The Shay last night. The diminutive Scotsman scored a goal of real class before his former Bradford City strike partner Barry Gallagher rediscovered his finishing touch -from the right back spot.

But the Shaymen twice contrived to throw away the lead and lose a game that could prove vital at the end of the season. Mick Jones's men must have fancied their chances of pulling away from the re-election zone four days ago. But two successive home defeats by lowly rivals Chester and now Exeter have put them precariously close to the edge again.

And that has given Saturday's home game against second-from-bottom Torquay on Saturday added importance. Town have wasted two of their backlog of home fixtures and have five more matches at The Shay and as many away games after the Torquay clash. Manager Jones sprung surprises last night. With Ces Podd and Alan Knill sus- pended, he handed the right back role to Barry Gallagher, last season's top scorer, and Paul Kendall came into the heart of the defence. Steve Ward was also surprisingly left out, with Steve Thornber moving up on the left and Garry Watson coming in for his first game in over a month - since the last game against Exeter at left back. Town's makeshift defence was found wanting after only three minutes and it was fortunate for them that it was not injured 20-goal striker Ray Pratt, but his replacement, Trevor Morgan, who got clear. Paddy Roche was able to get down and save his half-hit shot. The home goalkeeper, out for three matches with a sprained ankle, was obviously not fully fit as he got tentatively to his feet after the incident.

But then McNiven demonstrated what Town have been lacking. From a long kick by Roche in the 10th minute, Simon Lowe helped the ball on for the Scottish striker to get behind his marker and produce a perfect lob in off the post. Lowe himself headed wide when he got between three defenders to meet Gallagher's free-kick. But Town still looked vulnerable at the other end, where Kendall had to make a timely interception to stop Martin Ling getting a shot on goal. Exeter were level, however, after 24 minutes and the equaliser was a disaster for Watson. Kevin Smith won a high ball in the goalmouth and it fell for Watson, who turned it back for a matter of yards. Roche, who had half-committed himself to coming to collect the ball, was unable to stop it entering the net. Soon after, Paul Sanderson replaced Thornber, who had been limping after taking a knock in the opening minutes. The goal seemed to knock Halifax's confidence, but Gallagher put them back in the driving seat three minutes before half time. Town were lucky to be awarded a free- kick when Jeff Cook went down on the edge of the area. But Gallagher, who had not scored since January 12, took full advantage by curling the free-kick beautifully around the wall and into the net. Exeter hit back though, just six minutes after half-time - and again Town had only themselves to blame. Burgher was allowed to go clear down the left as Town's defence rushed out, looking for offside. The Exeter striker skipped past a lunging Gallagher tackle before cutting inside. His cross was only half-cleared and Jimmy McNicholl swivelled to crack the loose ball high past Roche's left hand.

Town always seemed likely to score again against a defence that had conceded 12 goals in its previous two games with McNiven looking confident on the ball. Watson almost made up for his earlier lapse when his cross-shot came back off the crossbar after Gallagher had sent him through. But Exeter earned only their third away win of the season with a goal moments after a hobbling Roche had saved at the feet of Smith. Watson unnecessary gave away a 67th minute corner and Forbes Phillipson-Masters rose above everybody to head home. A fully-fit Roche might well have come to collect the cross. Former Town 'keeper Lee Smelt then thwarted his former teammates on his return to the Shay with three crucial saves. First, he superbly turned aside a Sanderson piledriver after the speedy substitute had darted past three tackles on an impressive run. Then Smelt produced a carbon copy save to stop a Cook volley after 83 minutes. And McNiven was denied his second goal two minutes from time when Steve Brookes headed on Chris Moyses' corner. But Smelt, less confidently, this time, blocked the new signing's close-range volley.

TOWN: Roche, Gallagher, Watson, Kendall, Moyses, Brookes, Cook, Little, Lowe, McNiven, Thornber (Sanderson, 30 mins).

EXETER: Smelt, Kirkup, Virey, McNicholl, Markey, Ling, O'Shea, Morgan, Smith, Burgher, Phillipson-Masters.
Sub: Howarth.

Referee: R. Bridges (Deeside).

Attendance: 1,011.