ALMOST two seasons have passed since Micky Adams masterminded Fulham's promotion from the Third Division.

But not much has changed at the fag end of the Football League.

Hard work, disciplined defending, good organisation and the odd flash of inspiration can make you major contenders.

These are precisely the virtues which have lifted Halifax into a play-off place.

They are a no-frills outfit, relying heavily on Yorkshire grit and the team ethic.

Adams, a Yorkshiremen himself, would have appreciated the qualities which enabled Albion's opponents to grind out a valuable, if slightly fortunate, victory.

Defeat always hurts, but the results matter less in these last few matches than what Adams can learn about the squad of players he has inherited.

He wants them to play more of a high tempo, high pressure game, which places a bigger emphasis on fitness.

There were signs in the second half at the Shay that the message is slowly sinking in.

Albion pressed forward pretty relentlessly in search of an equaliser which should have arrived with three minutes left, when Richard Barker headed wastefully wide from a cross by fellow substitute Andy Ansah.

They still depend too heavily though in attacking areas on the single-minded zest of the inexperienced Gary Hart.

Afine solo goal by Hart gave Adams a winning start last Tuesday, when Shrewsbury were arguably worth a share of the spoils.

The ball was on the other foot this time. The match was by no means a Thriller, but a striker by the name of Jackson certainly hit the one high note.

Justin Jackson's spectacular curving shot in an uneventful first half ended a frustrating famine since his February move from Notts County.

It was an extraordinary goal to win an ordinary game.

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