Ndlovu at the double as Saints shock Halifax

Lee Ndlovu bagged a brace as Saints ended FA Halifax Town’s seven-match winning run with a 3-1 victory on Saturday. Steve Diggin got the other goal as Kevin Wilkin’s side got a massive boost ahead of next week’s Emirates FA Cup trip to Gillingham.

The Shaymen went ahead through Jordan Sinnott but Saints turned it around with three second half goals.

The hosts started well, Josh Macdonald crossed for Liam King who scooped his shot over the bar while Scott Garner found Sinnott who saw his low cross go begging and Garner flicked-on for Simmons who was denied by Laurie Walker.

Alex Gudger just failed to pick out Luke Graham at the other end. But Halifax broke the deadlock in the 31st minute when Gudger was dispossessed by Macdonald who found Sinnott and his fierce drive beat Walker despite the keeper getting a hand to the ball.

Just before halftime, Sinnott almost doubled his side’s lead when his long range shot was tipped away by Walker.

Macdonald’s shot hit the post before Saints equalised in the 63rd minute. Glenn Walker’s inswinging corner caused problems for keeper Steven Drench and Ndlovu bundled the ball over the line.

Two minutes later Glenn Walker’s low cross wasn’t cleared and Diggin put Saints ahead. Ndlovu increased Saints’ lead in the 76th minute when he raced clear, Drench saved his initial effort but he poked the ball home at the second attempt.

King’s effort was tipped over the bar by Walker but Saints went close to a fourth goal when David Moyo broke down the right but and thwarted by Kevin Roberts’ last ditch tackle.