Shaymen start season with a defeat as they lose at Forest Green

Like last season here, Halifax led at half-time but were unable to hold onto it when the hosts upped their game.

Will Flint's goal was wiped out after half-time through Filozofe Mabete, Sean Etaluku and then Kyle McAllister as the hosts' class eventually told.

In a dream start for Town, Flint converted from close range after a clever free kick routine that saw new captain Cody Johnson cross from the left of the box after it was taken short.

In reponse, Forest Green debutant James Berry hit the post not long afterwards, but the hosts struggled to create many chances.

Forest Green, their manager and their fans were frustrated, with the home side sloppy on the ball, and squandering some quick breaks with a poor final pass.

For Town, there was no inferiority complex. Their attitude was spot on; working hard off the ball, but positive on it, trying to make things happen.

After the impressive Zak Gilsenan won the ball in midfield, Johnson chipped a beautiful pass over the top for Conor Carty, but his shot across goal went wide.

Gilsenan then might have done better when Forest Green lost the ball 25 yards out but dragged a shot wide.

Carty then brought a save from Luke McNicholas, with the better chances falling to the visitors.

After all his good work at the back, Shaun Hobson nearly put True Grant in trouble with a poor back-pass, but the Town keeper reached it just in time.

Grant was equal to Kyle McAllister's shot not long before half-time, with Town retreating deeper and deeper before the break, but preserving their lead.

That lead was extinguished three minutes after the break though when Mabete was left unmarked to head back across goal from the left of the box.

Not that that resulted in the hosts seizing control of the contest. Town responded to the setback very well, so well in fact that Robbie Savage made a triple substitution.

And moments after that, Forest Green completed their comeback when Etaluku was given too much space to run into before unleashing a powerful shot into the top corner from the inside right channel.

There was more energy and intensity to the home side, and their fans, now, and Town needed to reply in kind.

Sub Josh Osude came close to a decisive third before Sydney Agina's blasted shot was kept out by Grant.

McAllister's goal was game over though, and came after Flint lost possession midway inside his own half and the excellent Osude rampaged into the box from the left. Town could only half clear it before McAllister found the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Gilsenan scored a last-gasp goal with an excellent free-kick from 25 yards, but it was too late.

Forest Green: McNicholas, Agina, Obi (Campbell 37), Mabete, Etaluku, Clarke, Ewing (Kelly 77), McAllister, Patrick (Rees 56), Berry (Osude 56), Mellor (Kengni 56). Subs not used: Ross, Haughton.

Scorers: Mabete (48), Etaluku (59), McAllister (79)

Attempts on target: 6

Attempts off target: 9

Corners: 8

Halifax: Grant, Bardell, Hobson (Crowe 77, Warburton 84)), Flint, Conte, C Johnson (Trusty 84), Hugil, Tollitt (Allen 64), Gilsenan, Douglas, Carty (Morgan-Smith 64). Subs not used: S Johnson, Kawa.

Scorers: Flint (8), Gilsenan (90+5)

Attempts on target: 5

Attempts off target: 8

Corners: 5

Referee: Lewis Sandoe

Attenfdance: 1,737 (128 away)