Halifax 2 Latics 1

Athletic's pre-season build up took a knock back as they went down 2-1 to non-league FC Halifax Town at The Shay on Thursday night. The match was another build up game where manager Dave Penney used the game to try out several new trialists in place of his regular players. Sean Gregan, Reuben Hazell, Chris Taylor, Deane Smalley and Pawel Abbott all sat out the game. Chris O'Grady gave the visitors the lead with a cracking shot early in the game which the Latics should have built on. Mark Peers levelled the score on the half-hour mark with a low drive which deceived Dean Brill.

The second half witnessed no less than eight changes to the Athletic team and they fell into disarray with the newcomers looking increasingly uncomfortable as the game progressed. Halifax sealed the win with less than ten minutes left after Marvin McDonald broke through unmarked to fire home the winner. The non-league team grew in confidence as the game progressed and thoroughly deserved their victory.