After a stop-start first half in windy conditions at Marston Road, Whitby came close to breaking the deadlock on the half hour mark but Jacob Hazel was flagged for offside.

Priestley Griffiths brought a fantastic save from Luke Pilling on the stroke of half-time, whilst Adam Gell hooked clear off the line following a Stafford corner just after the break.

The draw kept things as they were in the league standings on a day when most sides drew in the division.

Two changes were made to the side that drew 1-1 against Warrington Town the previous week as Gell came in for Malik Dijksteel, whilst Josh MacDonald replaced Bradley Fewster who had a hamstring issue.

Hazel's disallowed strike was the first real opportunity of the game and that came in the 29th minute. His finish was clever on the turn but the Blues' forward was clearly stood in an offside position.

Town shot-stopper Shane Bland was slightly worried when James O'Neill's fierce strike was drilled just over the crossbar.

But at the other end, Pilling prevented Harry Green later on as he held his curling effort well low down to his left.

With the half-time whistle approaching, the Seasiders went agonisingly close to opening the scoring as Griffiths had to improvise to get his shot away. The strike was heading towards the top corner by Pilling acrobatically tipped it behind for a corner.

In the second-half, Thomas Tonks' corner caused havoc and were it not for Gell on the line Stafford would have had the lead.

In the 55th minute, Alexnader Fletcher turned and struck towards goal but Bland was able to hold comfortably.

In the 59th minute, Bland was called into action again, this time tipping Tre Pemberton's header over the bar for a corner which came to nothing.

Lewis Hawkins, who is yet to score for Whitby, went close to giving his side the lead after Pilling had spilt the ball. Hawkins' effort was blocked before Stafford eventually cleared after a goal-mouth scramble.

Jameel Ible also went close late on with a glancing header, whilst Jonathan Burn saw a 35-yard effort fizz just over the crossbar.