Third straight home stalemate for Lancaster City

Lancaster City and Whitby Town shared the spoils in a goalless draw in the Northern Premier League at the Giant Axe.

Both teams struggled in an attacking sense with clear-cut opportunities sparse from start to finish, but each goalkeeper performed well whenever called upon.

There wasn't a lot of goal-threatening action for either side within the first 25 minutes, but they were both guilty of being rather rushed with the ball, with it frequently blasted up into the air in the middle of the park.

However, the Dolly Blues ended the first half as the stronger team after coming very close to finding a goal on multiple occasions, as well as neutralising the Yorkshire-based side's threat at the other end of the pitch.

Bobby Bjork lashed the ball against the post in the 33rd minute, Adam Fairclough had a venomous strike tipped over the bar a couple of minutes later, and Steven Yawson's cheeky chip was, somehow, kept out by Shane Bland's outstretched hand just before half-time.

Whitby Town failed to capitalise on two massive opportunities five minutes after the restart, with James Harrison striking the ball over the bar from a tight angle, and Jake Charles' poked effort unable to beat Brad Kelly.

The home side had the ball in the back of the net twice in the second half after a Yawson flick after 59 minutes and a Toby Oliver header following a great delivery from the captain, Sam Bailey, after 74 minutes, but celebrations were cut short both times for offside.

The Dolly Blues dominated their opponents for the majority of the second half and did everything except score, with Bjork and Christian Sloan testing the 'keeper and Fairclough looking certain to score before a last ditch Whitby Town tackle took the ball right off the Morecambe loanee's boot.

A late Whitby surge for a winner pressured the Lancaster City back-line and the home side were extremely fortunate to keep the scoreline tied. Jimmy Marshall's men had the best opportunity of the game and it was defender Joe Amison who came agonisingly close to grabbing a late winner, but his effort struck the crossbar before substitute Lewis Mansell headed the rebound just over and into the Neil Marshall Stand.

The game came to a conclusion just after Whitby Town defender Sam Collins blazed the ball out of the Giant Axe stadium, with the 742 fans settling for a point from not too many opportunities, but the home fans will be happy with their side sitting pretty in 3rd place.

Next on the calendar for the high flying Dolly Blues is a trip to Cleethorpes, who find themselves in 9th position in the NPL Premier Division.