Nathan Haslam's side were indebted to goalkeeper Shane Bland, who pulled off a couple of crucial saves in the second half in particular, while the defence also held firm to keep Whitby in the contest during something of a second half onslaught from the visitors.

Whitby were dogged when they needed to be and disciplined throughout as they turned in a fine defensive display to make sure they would take a point and keep their third consecutive clean sheet in the process.

It was the hosts who were on top early on at the Towbar Express Stadium, and but for Ollie Byrne they would have led at half time. Jake Charles sounded his first warning from just inside the area but his powerful drive was comfortably saved by the FC United stopper, who then watched Priestley Griffiths' strike from range sail over the bar.

The pacey Jay Fitzmartin of the Red Rebels forced Bland to be quick off his line to clear on the edge of his own box before, at the other end, Lewis Hawkins came close for the Seasiders with a swerving effort from distance that flew narrowly wide of the mark.

Town then had to endure a couple of chances for the away side towards the end of the first half - Adam Le Fondre twice came close but Bland was spared having to make any action to worry him too much as the former Reading and Rotherham United forward prodded one effort wide before then forcing the Whitby 'keeper to get down low to his right just moments later.

Other than Charles' shot on target and those close misses from Griffiths and Hawkins, Haslam's men failed to test United goalkeeper Byrne again before the break ahead of the tide well and truly turning in the second 45 minutes.

It was a strong start to the second period from the visitors, with Fitzmartin sailing one too high soon after as the Red Rebels pushed up the pitch. Jordan Preston also struck the wrong side of the crossbar as he saw an opening and came close to scoring a stunning opener.

Haslam introduced Nathan Thomas for the final half hour as they sought a greater foothold in the FC United half, with one of the visitors' replacements Jordan Buckley reminding Town of their threat with a low show that Bland saved well.

The visitors' best chance of the closing stages fell to Le Fondre, who ghosted into the box to meet Guy Hall's enticing low cross but smashed it high and wide. Some terrific last-gasp defending from Town, who threw bodies in front of the ball again and again to frustrate the Manchester outfit, coupled with another Bland save from Le Fondre kept the scoreline level.