The first half had a very stop-start feel about it with both sides forced into making two injury-related substitutions, with Lewis Ritson and Liam Cooke both having to come off for Whitby.

In front of 401 spectators at Cantilever Park, the Seasiders could take plenty of positives from their performance against a side who are regularly competiting at the top end of the league.

The Blues came into the game full of confidence having battered local rivals Scarborough Athletic 3-0 the previous Tuesday night, but they were forced into one change to the starting eleven with Marcus Giles replacing the injured Bradley Fewster.

Whitby, who had not picked up a single point at the home of the Yellows since 2016, created the opening chance of the contest as Giles, who scored the Blues' third in their derby victory, dragged his effort wide from range.

Liam Cooke saw a deflected effort fall kindly into the hands of Warrington keeper Daniel Atherton, before the home sides' shot-stopper almost gifted Giles an opener but the Whitby forward was to be denied by a last-ditch challenge from Matty Regan.

Priestley Griffiths then curled an effort into the hands of Atherton before the conclusion of the first-half.

In the 52nd minute, Whitby could have been ahead through Griffiths again. After he received the ball outside the area, he struck towards goal but his effort was held by Atherton who made it look easy despite the ball swerving en-route.

The visitors were pushing and Giles curled just wide of the post just a minute later.

Jacob Hazel was unfortunate not to give Whitby the lead with 20 minutes to play as their top scorer had space in the box but Mark Roberts denied the striker, bravely blocking his shot which may well have caused Atherton problems.

In the 78th minute, the Seasiders created another good chance when the ball fell to Bradley Mills, but his curling effort lacked power and fell kindly for Atherton.

In stoppage time though, Warrington could easily have taken the lead themselves. After a corner was played into the box, Regan headed onto the top of the crossbar with Shane Bland looking beaten.