Halifax kept their promotion charge on track with a crucial victory at Scarborough.

Kevin Sandwith's fine free-kick 10 minutes after the break was enough to send Chris Wilder's side third in the Conference table.

Halifax had the first real chance of the game after just three minutes but Mark Monington saw his header from Craig Midgley's corner easily gathered by Andy Woods.

David Pounder then went close for Boro but Lee Butler saved.

Paul Shepherd tested Butler again with a 30-yard free-kick but the Shaymen keeper was up to the task.

Brian Quailey brought another save out of Woods on the half hour with a firm effort from the edge of the box.

Pounder had the best chance of the first half five minutes before the break but saw Butler produce a stunning save to turn away his drilled effort from 20 yards.

Halifax then took the lead when Sandwith smashed home a superb free-kick from 25 yards after a handball from Gareth Stoker.

Boro battled to get back into the gave but struggled to break down Halifax's resolute defence and Anthony Ormerod's effort from the edge of the box that sailed over was the closest they came.

Scarborough: Woods, Shepherd, Holdsworth, Dryden, Hotte, Ormerod, Stoker, Pounder, Dempsey, Scott, Bradshaw. Subs: Campbell, Brassart, Henderson, Walker, Fatokun.

Halifax: Butler, Asher, Quinn, Monington, Sandwith, Bushell, Clarkson, Midgley, Killeen, Quailey, Fitzpatrick. Subs: Morgan, Neil Grayston, Parke, Farrell, Senior.

Referee: G Turner (Chesterfield).