Aldershot Town slipped to a 4-3 defeat at home to FC Halifax Town in the National League on Saturday.

Goals from Ashley Akpan and James Henry saw the hosts come back from 2-0 down before Halifax restored their two-goal advantage and Jack Barham scored to give the Shots a late glimmer of hope.

While not necessarily threatening the Aldershot goal in the opening exchanges, it was the visitors who were enjoying a territorial advantage.

Andrew Oluwabori gave Jordi van Stappershoef his first bit of work in the fifth minute with a low shot that the Aldershot keeper had to palm away for a corner.

Halifax took the lead in the 18th minute when Billy Waters’ shot was deflected off a Shots defender and looped over Van Stappershoef and in.

Aldershot almost found an equaliser in the 25th minute when Akpan’s drilled shot looked to be heading in as it flew through a crowded penalty box, but Adam Senior made a crucial block on the goal-line.

Andrew Oluwabori scored the Shaymen’s second goal of the game in the 33rd minute to make it 2-0.

It had been a slow start from Aldershot but they hadn't surrendered the game and they looked to salvage something from it before the half-time break as Ryan Jones drove forwards and fired a shot just wide of the post.

Henry's flick from Jones' corner went just past the post and the Shots went into the break two goals behind.

The Shots came out of the break inspired and within a minute had clawed a goal back as Akpan popped up at the far post to fire in Jones' cross that had made its way through everyone in the Halifax box.

Contrary to the first 45, Aldershot were in control of the second half, but a rare Halifax foray forward on the counter from a corner saw Waters break the offside line, but in on goal, he dragged his shot wide.

The visitors were intent on leaving their mark at the EBB Stadium as they received a number of yellow cards for late challenges but the Shots couldn't take advantage of the set plays as Dan Ellison came close to heading in after winning a couple of aerial duels.

In the 74th minute, Henry saw an effort from the edge of the box well saved by Sam Johnson and two minutes later, Shots keeper Van Stappershoef almost had an assist when his kick forward picked out Barham, but Barham's touch got away from him and was gathered by Johnson.

Henry got his goal in the 79th minute as the Shots came back from two goals down.

In a similar position to his earlier missed effort, he found the bottom corner on this occasion after the Shots did well to keep an attack alive.

But just five minutes later, Halifax were gifted an opportunity to retake the lead.

Van Stappershoef was looking for a long pass forward and rolled the ball forward too strongly, leading to Jamie Cooke stealing the ball and finishing into an open net.

Halifax then had a fourth in the 89th minute as Zak Emmerson headed in Max Wright's cross.

Barham headed home a superb Tyler Frost cross in the 93rd minute to spark hopes of another comeback, but Halifax held on to take the three points.