AKPO SODJE returned to action with a goal as Town Reserves scored their fifth win in six matches at The Shay.

Out for a month suffering a thigh injury, the 22-year-old pounced eight minutes into the second half for what proved to be the winner yesterday.

Sodje scored from close range after a sweet square pass from John McAliskey, who had just been given a roasting from the touchline by watching manager Peter Jackson.

The goal, netted past Halifax keeper Jordan Yorath (the son of Town coach Terry) was added to Nat Brown's excellent 13th-minute header and confirmed that Town were cruising.

But they took their foot off the pedal after that and allowed Halifax - with senior players Chris Clarke, Paul Stoneman and Ryan Mallon in their line-up - to gain some reward for late pressure.

Ryan Golden's successful 66th-minute volley and a drive inches over the top from Mallon gave Halifax more hope than they should have had as Town produced some shaky defensive moments.

They survived, however, to the relief of coaches John Dungworth and Martyn Booty, and it was a deserved victory for a Town side featuring talented Michael Collins at right-back.

It was Collins who created the first goal, receiving a short corner from Danny Schofield and swinging in a perfect near-post corner which Brown converted in style.

With Mark Sheridan and the tough-tackling Adnan Ahmed dominating in midfield - Ahmed was booked for successive two-footed tackles and warned by the referee at half time - Town gave young Yorath plenty to think about.

Junior Mendes tried a couple of drives and also put through Sodje with a brilliant pass, while in the second half, Yorath saved from Mendes, McAliskey and Schofield.

Ahmed was also denied before the late Halifax rally.

Town - Senior, Collins, Hardy (Evans HT), Ahmed, McCombe, Brown, Sheridan (Young 72), Mendes, McAliskey, A Sodje (Caulfield 71), Schofield. Subs not used: Giles, Shaw.