Halifax succeeded where St Helens failed as they held off a Castleford fightback at The Shay.

The Tigers went into the game on a high after overturning an 18-0 deficit to beat Saints in midweek but they found the struggling Blue Sox a tougher nut to crack.

Tries from Colum Halpenny, Robbie Beckett and Andrew Dunemann settled the game in the Blue Sox's favour but the match was as much about their defensive resilience.

Time after time they denied the Tigers, who had Wayne Bartrim's five goals to thank for keeping them in contention.

Michael Smith and Danny Orr did manage to cross late on but Halifax held on to claim a well-deserved Super League win.

Bartrim scored the first points of the afternoon when he knocked over an eighth-minute penalty but the Tigers' lead was shortlived as Halpenny raced in for the opening try at the other end.

Centre David Woods raced between Barrie-Jon Mather and Waine Pryce to create the opening before offloading superbly to Halpenny after having his heels clipped.

Danny Tickle converted from in front of the posts but the Blue Sox were pegged back as Bartrim landed two more penalties to restore parity.

Halifax responded swiftly and edged back in front when the fast hands of Dunemann and Shayne McMenemy combined to send Beckett over another Tickle-converted try in the corner.

Top-scorer Beckett thought he had another in the same spot moments later after neat interplay between Gavin Clinch and Stuart Donlan but his effort was ruled out for an earlier knock-on.

Another Bartrim penalty reduced the arrears as Cas fought back towards but Halifax showed the same prowess in defence as they had in attack to deny them the lead.

Kyle Warren and Darren Rogers both looked certain scorers for the visitors as Cas twice broke the Blue Sox line but outstanding tackles by Jason Flowers and Beckett respectively denied both.

Cas continued to apply the pressure after the restart but Halifax again held firm and when the Tigers did manage to break through a Warren knock on cost them four points.

The Blue Sox's application was rewarded as they hit back to extend their lead with an opportunist try from Dunemann 15 minutes from time.

Capitalising on a Tigers error inside their own 20, Dunemann spotted a gap and jinked his way clear to cross for a decisive try which Karle Hammond improved.

It could have been more for Halifax but for another disallowed try, referee Richard Silverwood this time ruling that Hammond had passed forwards in releasing Hammond down the line.

Daryl Cardiss also threatened the Cas line with a weaving run but was halted by a high tackle from Michael Eagar, who found himself placed on report. But Castleford were far from done and came back at the Blue Sox in a frenetic closing spell.

Substitute Wayne Godwin went under the posts but was held up by resolute Blue Sox defending before Orr's jinking run pulled a try back in injury time.

Bartrim again goaled to bring the Tigers within a point but Halifax managed to cling on with Hammond's injury-time penalty miss mattering little.