Report and pics of Halifax 5 AFC Telford 0

It came just four days after manager Liam Watson labelled his players "gutless" following their 3-2 loss at Alfreton Town.

The Bucks again fell to a heavy away defeat, following an uninspiring performance at the Shay Stadium.

In a match that was one-sided right from the off, two goals from Danny Hattersley and one a piece from Adam Smith, Scott Boden and Paul Marshall secured the points for the home side.

Watson switched from a 3-4-3 to a traditional 4-4-2, with five changes from Tuesday night's disappointing defeat.

Transfer-listed trio Andy Owens, Chris Lever and Wes Baynes, were all dropped from the match-day squad, while Charlie Barnett had to make do with a place on the bench alongside player-coach Andy Todd.

Into the starting line-up came new signing Ryan Higgins at right-back as well as Rod McDonald – who returned after picking up a knock in the credible 2-2 draw at home to Barnet.

Also selected were Sean Clancy, Godfrey Poku and Adam Farrell following their promising second-half displays at Alfreton.

Telford almost made a flying start to the match when Mike Phenix burst into the box and hit a shot which goalkeeper Matt Glennon could only parry, with Tony Gray unable to pounce.

Halifax went straight up the other end and Scott Boden played an excellent through ball to send Adam Smith in on goal, but his low shot was blocked.

The game had started at a frantic pace and Farrell, Telford's top scorer last season, tried an effort from 18 yards which went narrowly wide.

Despite a promising start, all of Telford's hard work was completely undone in the 12th minute when a long throw into the box was only half cleared to Smith, who hit a thunderous volley into the top corner.

A minute later and Smith was at it again – the midfielder whipping in a wonderful cross to the back-post for Hattersley, who headed home to double the home side's lead.

Smith was giving McDonald, playing at left back, a torrid time and, a minute later, the Telford defender picked up a yellow card for a thigh-high foul on the midfielder, who had beaten him pace.

As the game approached the half hour mark,. the gulf between the two sides was becoming more and more evident with Halifax camped deep in Telford territory.

Liam Watson's men were struggling both with the ball and without, with short passes going astray and the midfield being pulled out of position.

Telford made their first change at the break, with Sean Clancy's return to Halifax only lasting 45 minutes.

Mike Grogan replaced him as United switched to a 4-3-3 – Watson making the move in the hope his side could gain some midfield momentum after being overrun in the first half.

The changes made a difference, with Telford keeping the ball better with the extra option in midfield.

However, they almost went further behind when a Halifax corner was knocked down into the path of Richard Peniket.

The left winger was a yard out and steadied himself, before shooting at Hedge who spread himself brilliantly to save.

As the game approached the hour mark, some excellent Telford build-up play saw the ball worked wide right to debutant Higgins, who drilled a low cross into the box which was deflected wide for a corner.

Buoyed by the move, the away side started moving the ball a bit quicker and, moments later, had a brilliant chance to half the deficit.

Farrell's chipped free-kick into the box was met by the head of Steve Akrigg, who headed over when well placed.

It proved to be a big miss for the Bucks, with Halifax going straight up the other end and winning a corner.

The ball was sent into the back post and headed across goal by Matthew Pearson to Scott Boden, who turned it home with a clever flick.

Telford had gone from almost being back in the game to being completely out of it within 60 seconds, much to the disgust of boss Watson.

Grogan then entered the book for a nasty challenge on Hattersley, with the Bucks' day going from bad to worse.

With 10 minutes to go, another corner into the box was brilliantly cleared off the line by McDonald, before Boden's shot was tipped wide by Hedge.

The pressure was now relentless and, following a flurry of corners, a Hattersley header was diverted onto the bar by team-mate Boden.

Seconds later and it was four. Halifax broke quickly and found Marshall on the edge of the box, whose low shot nestled into the bottom corner despite Hedge getting a touch.

And, in stoppage time, Halifax made it five. Hattersley sweeping the ball home from a Scott McManus cross.

It was a poor end to an even poorer performance, with the Bucks completely outclassed for the entire 90 minutes.