NEIL ASPIN is desperate for FC Halifax Town’s home clash with Harrogate Town tonight to beat the cold snap.

The Shaymen were frustrated when Saturday’s meeting with Solihull Moors was postponed, leaving them well behind their Blue Square North rivals in terms of games played.

Aspin’s seventh-placed side have had 13 league outings, four fewer than leaders Chester and five less than Oxford City, the side immediately above them.

Halifax can climb to fifth with a three-point haul against 15th-placed Harrogate, who were in FA Cup second-round action at home to Hastings United on Saturday.

A 1-1 draw means they face a long trip to the South coast a week tomorrow, with a third-round tie at Middlesbrough up for grabs in a replay which will be screened live on ESPN.

Halifax have won their last six games in succession, but only two of those have been in the league (4-0 against Vauxhall Motors and 4-1 against Droylsden, both at home).

Aspin, whose side go to Worcester City on Saturday, will run checks on defender Scott McManus and midfielder Paul Marshall before tonight’s 7.45 clash, while winger Simon Hackney has left the club.

The former Carlisle and Colchester man’s last appearance for Halifax was in the 7-0 win over Liversedge in the West Riding County Cup second round on October 30.

The home game against Bishops Stortford, postponed because of the FA Trophy second-round tie at home to Maidstone United on Saturday week, will take place on Tuesday, January 15.