Gary Liddle made two changes to the side from Town's previous outing, a 3-1 defeat at Hebburn Town, with Ben Farrar and Alex Nelson drafted into the starting XI in place of Adam Gell and Nathan McGinley.

And from the off, it was clear Whitby would need to be organised and patient against a Hednesford side keen to impose themselves at Keys Park where they have lost just once all season. A win could have taken them back to the summit of the Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division table.

The opening exchanges were fairly even in terms of possession, but the first real moment of danger came after ten minutes when Ollie Harrison met a free-kick delivered from just inside the Whitby half. Rising well, Harrison directed his header over the bar, offering an early warning of the hosts’ aerial threat, particularly from defender Harrison who had been in amongst the goals of late.

Hednesford continued to probe and nearly broke the deadlock in the 19th minute. Ahkeem Rose tried his luck from distance, chipping the ball towards goal with Isaac Allan off his line, only to see it land on the roof of the net.

Four minutes later, Whitby’s goalkeeper was called firmly into action. Montel Gibson latched onto a loose ball inside the area, but Allan reacted superbly, spreading himself and getting a crucial hand to the ball at Gibson’s feet to deny a certain goal before the rebound was lashed wide from range.

Whitby did have moments going forward of their own. On 26 minutes, Layton Watts showed quick feet to turn sharply on the edge of the box, flashing an effort narrowly wide of the post.

However, the bulk of the pressure continued to come from the home side. Omari Sterling-James tested Allan with a speculative strike from distance on 32 minutes, but the Whitby stopper gathered comfortably.

Two minutes later, Allan produced another strong save when Rose powered a header goalwards that looked destined for the net, only for Allan to react quickly and tip the ball over the bar. From the resulting corner, Whitby were forced into a frantic scramble in the box before finally clearing their lines, with Aaron Haswell fouled to relieve the pressure.

Just before the break, Gibson again went close, glancing a header wide of the right-hand post as Whitby reached half-time still level and in the game.

The second half saw Hednesford become increasingly frustrated, while Whitby enjoyed more goalscoring opportunities as the match began to open up.

Dan Trickett-Smith almost caught Whitby out early on, sending a sweetly struck half-volley over the bar from the edge of the area just three minutes after the restart.

As legs tired, spaces began to open up. Hednesford pushed for a winner and were denied once more by Allan in the 70th minute, the goalkeeper showing strong reflexes and a firm right wrist to tip Gibson’s low drive away from danger in what was certainly the young on-loan Sunderland gloveman's save of the match.

Whitby’s best chance of the match arrived on 75 minutes. Matty Tymon did brilliantly to create space on the turn inside the box, but his shot was straight at Tony Breeden, who held on comfortably to preserve the stalemate.

Despite late pressure from both sides, neither could find a breakthrough, and the match ended scoreless. For Whitby, it was a point built on discipline and an outstanding performance from Allan and the defensive unit, ensuring the long trip home was not made empty-handed.