Preview: Halifax Town vs. King's Lynn Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Halifax Town play host to King's Lynn Town on Tuesday evening knowing that victory will move them into second position in the National League standings.

Meanwhile, the visitors, who are four points adrift of safety, travel to The Shay looking to build on a rare win at the weekend.

Match preview

After witnessing his Halifax side dumped out of the FA Cup by Kidderminster Harriers last weekend, manager Pete Wild pulled no punches in criticising his players.

However, the negative feedback paid off, to a certain extent, on Saturday as they claimed a 1-0 victory away at lowly Wealdstone, the decisive goal coming from the penalty spot.

Wild will naturally expect far more than a squad who are challenging for promotion, but the success at the weekend has put the club in a position where they can make quick headway up the table.

Although the Yorkshire side have played fewer home games than many of their rivals, they still possess the seventh-best return in the division through posting six wins from eight games.

Billy Waters and Jordan Slew have contributed all but 10 of Halifax's goals in the fifth tier this season, the attacking pair requiring extra help from their teammates over the coming weeks.

As for opponents Kings Lynn, they have endured a dismal campaign in the National League, collecting just three wins from their 18 matches.

On a positive note, they avoided the embarrassment of losing to winless Dover Athletic at the weekend, ending an eight-match streak of defeats in the process.

While the triumph was far from convincing, two strikes from Josh Barrett has the potential to breathe new life into their season.

Tommy Widdrington took charge of his first game, just a day after his appointment, and the former Southampton midfielder will hope that the result can be the catalyst for better things to come.

Halifax Town National League form:

Halifax Town form (all competitions):

King's Lynn Town National League form:

King's Lynn Town form (all competitions):

Team News

Despite the quick turnaround, Halifax boss Wild may see no reason to make any changes to the team which prevailed at the weekend.

Harvey Gilmour, Luke Summerfield and Martin Woods - all late replacements during that game - are most likely to be recalled if Wild introduces fresh legs.

Jack Vale is also pushing for a return in the final third after being rested against Wealdstone.

Although Barrett lasted just 53 minutes at the weekend, the playmaker is expected to retain his spot in the King Lynn XI.

Widdrington is likely to side with continuity after beating Dover, potentially resulting in an unchanged team.

Halifax Town possible starting lineup:

Johnson; Maher, Warren, Senior, Bradbury, Slew, Green, Spence, Waters, Warburton, Newby

King's Lynn Town possible starting lineup:

P. Jones; A. Jones, Bird, Sundire, Bowry, Clunan, Coleman, McGavin, Barrett, Omotayo, Linton

We say: Halifax Town 4-1 King's Lynn Town

Regardless of Kings Lynn's victory at the weekend, it is difficult to see them posing much of a threat in Yorkshire. Halifax have extra quality in all areas of the pitch, leading us to predict a routine win.