CLINT Eastwood was the only thing missing as Accrington Stanley recreated their version of the classic Western film The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

The 'Ugly and Bad' combined in front of the Sky television cameras in the first half as John Coleman's men struggled to get going and found themselves a goal down after 36 minutes - and deservedly so - through a cheeky Dean Howell back-heel.

But Steve Jagielka's equaliser two minutes before the break changed the course of the game. And, inspired by their manager's half-time team-talk, as well as some tactical alterations, they welcomed the 'Good' into their performance to secure a crucial win courtesy of Ged Brannan's flicked header shortly after the break.

But while Coleman will be delighted to be back in the play-off mix after dropping down to 12th in the Conference on the back of the previous two days' results, he will still be aware of the cracks in his side in a poor first half.

The Stanley boss stuck with the 4-5-1 formation he had preferred at Gravesend, but it didn't serve the Reds well in the first half as they defended deeply and relied too much on long balls upfield to lone striker Paul Mullin.

With often three defenders surrounding him whenever the ball came in his direction, there were few inroads for Stanley in the opening period.

In the opening half-hour, only Ian Craney, Mike Flynn and Andy Procter had gone close to putting Ian Dunbavin's goal under real threat.

At the opposite end, however, Howell was proving a handful, but nothing right back Paul Howarth couldn't handle thanks to a good reading of the game and some timely interceptions.

However, after Neil Ross twice went close, Adam Quinn had a header saved and former Morecambe wide man Howell himself was denied when Paul Crichton did brilliantly to recover and prevent him slotting into an empty net, Howell got the goal he had been threatening all afternoon.

Howarth was unlucky to see his attempted clearance cannon back off the winger. But the full back momentarily lost his concentration and didn't seize the loose ball. Instead, Howell surged forward, had his initial shot well blocked by Crichton but showed incredible quick-thinking to back heel the ball over the line for the cutest of finishes.

But instead of going for a second before the break to really take the wind out of Stanley's sails, it was Coleman's men who had the better of the late first-half chances as they switched to a more attacking formation, pushing Craney further forward.

A goal, nevertheless, didn't really look like materialising for the visitors until Jagielka plucked one out of nowhere. Peter Cavanagh and Prendergast linked well on the left, Prendergast fired in a cross which Procter got a touch to, steering it into Jagielka's path, and the midfielder unleashed a brilliant swerving shot from just outside the area to go in-off his near post.

Half-time failed to quash Stanley's momentum and within six minutes of the re-start Brannan nodded them in front - the first time that has happened this season after going behind.

Prendergast swung a free kick over from the right touchline and Brannan rose well to flick the ball beyond a rooted Dunbavin.

Prendergast could easily have made the Reds' lead more comfortable seconds later but shot straight at the keeper, while Dunbavin got down well to stop Mullin's diving header following an excellent passing move involving Craney and Jagielka.

Crichton was forced into another good save from Midgley, but it was Stanley who went on to create the better openings, typified by four corners in quick succession.

Halifax still had chances but Cavanagh blocked well from Howell's break, while Crichton showed his agility to tip over Lewis Killeen's header.

Howell was the instigator of late pressure, from which Killeen dragged his shot just wide.

Moments later, substitutes Lee McEvilly and Paul Cook combined with Prendergast to cross for Mullin, but the Stanley front man was unlucky to have his effort ruled out for offside.

Cavanagh was then lucky not to concede a penalty after hacking down the Halifax striker on the edge of the box. Howell lifted the resultant free kick over the bar.

The referee's final whistle was a welcome sound for Coleman, and his team's group hug at the end proves the importance of this win is far from lost on them.