Worthing came from behind to beat Halifax Town 2-1 at Woodside Road, a result that keeps the Seagulls firmly in the upper half of the English National League table and hands the Shaymen a second consecutive away defeat.

The visitors had the better of the opening exchanges and led at the interval, but a sharper, braver Worthing emerged after the break. Two goals in a dominant second-half spell turned a scrappy contest into one of the more satisfying home performances of the campaign so far, and the home support — a healthy Saturday evening crowd at Woodside Road — went home having seen their side win the second half of a match decisively for the third time this season.

How the game unfolded

Halifax started with real purpose and pressed Worthing high in the opening quarter, forcing a string of hurried clearances. The breakthrough came from exactly that pressure: a turnover in midfield allowed the visitors to work the ball into the channel, and a low strike across the goalkeeper put Halifax 1-0 up.

Worthing's response was patient rather than panicked. Their full-backs began pushing higher, the midfield pair started winning second balls, and by the closing stages of the first half the balance of play had already shifted. The equaliser arrived early in the second period, and the winner followed before the hour mark as Halifax struggled to reset their shape.

Key moments

• Opening goal (Halifax): A high press forced a loose pass and a first-time finish inside the box gave the visitors a deserved lead.
• Equaliser (Worthing): A determined run down the right and a driven cross were converted at the near post to level the scores.
• Winning goal (Worthing): A short corner caught Halifax napping, and the second ball was swept home from the edge of the area.
• Late scare: Halifax pushed bodies forward in the final ten minutes, but a goal-line clearance and a smart stop from the Worthing goalkeeper preserved the lead.

Tactical story

Halifax's early dominance was built on aggressive pressing in wide areas, which worked until Worthing adjusted their build-up to go longer and more direct over the first line of pressure. Once the hosts stopped trying to play through the middle, they found joy in the channels and behind the full-backs.

The decisive change came in midfield, where Worthing's central pair started arriving second in every loose-ball contest. That gave them territorial control and, crucially, the ability to keep Halifax pinned back — the visitors' front two became increasingly isolated as the second half wore on.

Standout performers

Worthing's right-sided attacker was the game's most influential player, involved in both goals and consistently beating his marker one-on-one. The central defender who cleared off the line late on deserves equal credit, while Halifax's goalkeeper kept the scoreline respectable with two excellent stops.

What the result means

Three points lift Worthing into the promotion-chasing conversation in the English National League, continuing a run of form built on strong home results. For Halifax Town, the defeat leaves them searching for consistency on the road, with the gap to the play-off places beginning to widen. The two clubs will meet again later in the season, and on this evidence the return fixture should be just as competitive.