Seemingly dead and buried when trailing 23-7 at the break, Halifax showed some of their renowned fighting spirit to not only finish within a converted score of their rivals at the end, but also picked up two valuable bonus points which, at one stage, looked a distant prospect.

Second half tries from Dominic Moon, Danny McGee and a penalty try, added to the first half effort from back row forward Richard Brown, ensured a four try bonus point for the first time this season and an extra one for finishing within seven points of their opponents.

However, it was a dismal first half showing that sealed Halifax's fate.

"The first half cost us, and that against a side that were down there at the bottom with us," said Harrison.

"We went in at half time totally frustrated. I looked around at the players and by their expressions, they knew themselves that they hadn't played well.

"We were just totally off the pace. It was like we had been caught in the headlights and we just didn't back ourselves at all.

"To be honest, I was expecting us to be on the end of a right old drubbing, but at the end of the day we have pulled it round to the extent where we have picked up two points."

The biggest frustration for Harrison is that Halifax have shown themselves capable of competing, but only in fits and starts.

"We keep on saying it but the fact is that we have to play like we did in the second half for a full 80 minutes," added Harrison.

"If we had, Darlington wouldn't have been able to live with us

"We had an intensity to our play that was lacking in the first half, but that is up to the players to put right.

"There is nothing that either I or Craig Emmerson can say to correct that. It has to come from the players."

Despite the defeat Harrison said the side were still on track to meet his pre-Christmas targets.

"We set a goal going into Christmas that, realistically, we were looking at 10 points," he said. "That was two wins and two bonus points.

"All we have done, in reality, is make it a little bit harder for ourselves with a home game against Hull Ionians and a trip to Bradford & Bingley to come.

"We are on track as far as getting the bonus points are concerned, but now we have to win the next two games.

"It's certainly not impossible."