More than a month after the initial fixture was scheduled, FC Halifax Town stand between Barnet and daylight at the Conference summit with seven fixtures remaining after Tuesday night’s clash.

The Shaymen did Martin Allen’s side a sizeable favour on Saturday when they drew 2-2 with then-leaders Bristol Rovers at The Shay, though The Gas were able to score twice in the final six minutes to salvage a point against Neil Aspin’s side.

Halifax currently sit eighth in the Conference, as many points outside the play-off places, but do have three games in hand on Forest Green Rovers, who are currently occupying the final play-off spot.

Poor drainage at The Shay saw Halifax face a backlog of fixtures last season and after drawing heavy criticism in recent weeks for the condition of their pitch, chairman David Bosomworth addressed the matter in his programme notes on Saturday.

He wrote: “We can only apologise and say we have got what we have got and we have to get on with it.

“It is not going to be cured until we get in to the close season and if investment is not put into the pitch, then serious decisions have to be made going forward.

“We cannot go on like this. The implications of having to watch the weather forecast morning, noon and night, losing Saturday fixtures to a Tuesday and the sheer embarrassment at what is left, after other fixtures, is all very tiring and frustrating.

“The pitch has to be fit for purpose and in our eyes, due to the lack of a cohesive drainage infrastructure, it is not.”

He added: “Our view is that it will not change until we bring income in from all sources to make it happen.”

Halifax RLFC also share The Shay and boss Aspin believes the poor quality of the surface is having a detrimental effect on his side.

He told the club website: “It is the fact it is so heavy on the legs as well, they are running on sand. If you try and run on the beach then you will know what it is like on your legs.

“It is heavier and that is going to have an effect. Whether I need to make any changes or not, I will have to see how the players are.”

Despite their ongoing pitch issues, Halifax boast the third-best home record in the division, garnering 37 points at home – in contrast to the 21 collected on their travels.

Halifax have yet to lose at home in 2015 with their last home defeat coming against Chester on December 28.

Four draws from their last five have halted the progress of Aspin’s side somewhat but with a streak of four straight victories prior to that, there is little doubt Halifax pose a threat to those sides above them in the table in the hunt for a top-five spot.

FC Halifax Town XI v Bristol Rovers (14.02.2015): Glennon; Bolton, Hutchison, M Roberts, McManus; Smith, Maynard, Pearson, Marshall; Jackson, Peniket.