NEIL ASPIN says his FC Halifax side must improve their defending if they are to make the Blue Square First Division North play-off final.

The Shaymen host Gainsborough Trinity in Sunday’s semi-final second leg (3.00) having fought back from two down to claim a first-leg draw.

Boss Aspin, whose squad includes on-loan Town midfielder Matt Crooks, was delighted by the fightback (Lee Gregory grabbed both goals).

But he was concerned at the concession of an early double to former Stoke striker Paul Connor, both from set-pieces.

Guiseley host Nuneaton in Sunday’s other tie, which is poised at 1-1 after Matthew Wilson netted a dramatic 90th-minute equaliser for the West Yorkshire side.

“We’ve struggled with set-pieces all season,” said Aspin.

“But we fought back to keep a foothold, and in the second half, we were the better team.”