And their interest in the competition ended with barely a whimper against a side that had lost 10 and drawn two of its opening 12 matches.
The vast majority of a crowd more than twice the average at Station View this season were treated to another below par performance from Jim Vince's side which at times appeared to lack the stomach for the fight.
Perhaps inevitably, Ben Jones - a player rejected by Town after pre-season - and Nathan Cartman - a man with plenty of Calderdale connections - would be the men to score the goals.
But it could have been anyone really as Town's defence failed to cope with the minimal pressure Railway exerted.
And the real low point came when Jon Kennedy spent a couple of minutes haranguing his teammates after the home side had been allowed far too much space.
Town had strong claims for a penalty after just seven minutes following a great run by Colin Daniel that was brought to an abrupt halt, but the referee gave a free kick which was taken by Jon Smith and cleared by Rob Morgan.
And three minutes later Ashley Stott pounced on a poor defensive header from Dan Verity and raced towards goal only to have his shot saved by home keeper Liam Sutcliffe. The ball looped towards goal, but Sutcliffe recovered well to claim on his own line.
It was Harrogate who broke the deadlock after 17 minutes from effectively their first attack on the Town goal.
They were awarded a free kick on the left which Cartman whipped in and Ben Jones headed home unmarked from eight yards.
Cavell Coo supplied the 21st minute cross that was knocked back across goal by Danny Meadowcroft, but Daniel's downward header was saved on the line by the keeper.
And Jonathan Smith sent a free kick narrowly over the top just before the break, but Town's chances were limited.
At the other end, Meadowcroft headed a Cartman free kick behind, Scott Ryan's free kick deflected wide and Joel Etienne headed over from a couple of yards.
And there was another chance for the home side on the stroke of half time, Cartman volleying across goal and wide from a cross.
Jones was denied by Kennedy 10 minutes after the break, the Town keeper coming to his side's rescue after Cartman had failed to get his initial shot away.
And Kennedy did well again moments later, getting a touch on Cartman's corner before Morgan could get there.
And the home side doubled their advantage in the 58th minute when the Shaymen failed to deal with a corner from the right.
There was more thrashing of defensive legs that managed to block a Jones shot but not Cartman's as the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Kennedy saved with his legs from Danny Forrest before the Shaymen hit back in the 66th minute, Daniel shrugging off the attentions of Morgan to make his way into the area and finish emphatically.
The goal sparked some belated passion from the Halifax players who could clearly sense that their hosts may crumble.
Justin Walker, skipper of the side in the absence of Tony Barras and Steve Payne, had an effort saved brilliantly by Sutcliffe with 15 minutes remaining.
Five minutes later, after Junior Brown and Nigel Jemson had combined, Walker crossed for Lincoln Adams whose header slipped agonisingly wide.
Daniel flicked a Peter Moore free kick wide of the target but there were still moments of concern at the other end, notably when Dan Thirkell crossed for Dean Walters who got in front of Kennedy only for Danny Meadowcroft to clear.
There was one final chance for Town to force a replay in the second minute of stoppage time when Moore and Brown exchanged passes before the midfielder thundered in a shot that was deflected wide for a corner that came to nothing.

STAR SHAYMAN
It was not a day that will live long in the memory of Halifax Town's history - the long or short versions.
And it said much about the side on display that the man who appeared to want it most only arrived on Thursday - and is only at the club on loan.
Colin Daniel put everything he had into the game, coping with a lack or service to rise above his new colleagues.
And the way he took his goal bodes well for the remainder of his temporary stay at the Shay.
Peter Moore started the game in midfield and ended it in defence, but wherever he plays he always looks comfortable.
And with a little more luck he might have snatched a dramatic last gasp equaliser which would have forced a replay.
Former Bradford City man Scott Phelan, in midfield from start to finish, battled hard in difficult circumstances and was still battling to the final whistle.
Daniel takes the three points on offer in our season-long competition with Moore taking two and Phelan one.

MATCH FACTS
Harrogate Railway Athletic: Sutcliffe, Thirkell, Verity (Walters 82), Riley, Morgan, Etienne (Ryan 75), Markam, Facey (Forrest 11), Jones, Cartman. Subs (not used): Ball, Haigh.
Booked: Verity (foul 88)
Sent-off: None
Goals: Jones 21, Cartman 58).

FC Halifax Town: Kennedy, Coo, Hinsley (Ellis 46), Adams, Meadowcroft, Phelan, J Smith (Brown 67), Walker, Moore, Stott (Jemson 78), Daniel. Subs (not used): Ellison, C Smith.
Booked: None
Sent-off: None
Goal: Daniel 66

Attendance: 373
Referee: A Holmes.

PLAYER POINTS
Jonathan Smith 13, Peter Moore 10, Paul Gedman 8, Junior Brown 7, Ashley Stott 5, Adam Morning 4, Jon Kennedy 4, Steve Payne 3, Lincoln Adams 3, Cavell Coo 3, Colin Daniel 3, Nigel Jemson 2, Craig Smith 2, Justin Walker 2, Scott Phelan 1, Phil Senior 1, Luke Hinsley 1.

YOU SAY
Not enough effort. Keeper and defence awful and this was against a useless pub team.- angry andy