Morpeth Town claimed a share of the spoils as they drew 1-1 with Whitby Town in the Pitching  In NPL Premier Division, writes Ross Jackson.

The Highwaymen once again took the lead in a game, this time through Nathan Buddle, but couldn’t hold on as Stephen Walker restored parity soon after.

The game started fairly evenly, with the opposition under the stewardship of former South Shields defender Gary Liddle, who had taken over temporarily from Nathan Haslam after the latter stepped down earlier in the week.

Looking to be compact and flood the midfielder on the counter, Whitby were a threat in that respect but Morpeth saw plenty more of the ball without forcing that final moment.

Jake Charles had the first effort on three minutes, some lovely control being followed by a routine volley that was fielded comfortably by Morpeth keeper Dan Langley.

Lewis Hawkins blasted one well off target on eight minutes but Langley would be called into action on 17 minutes, making a fine stop to deny a Whitby player bearing down on goal.

Although seeing plenty of the ball, the home side weren’t finding a sight of goal. Jeff Henderson nodded over the top on 19 minutes before, arguably, the best chance of the game so far for Morpeth when Jack Foalle raced through on goal. He took too long to get his shot away and the defender managed to toe it behind with a last-ditch tackle.

Whitby stopper Shane Bland was then called on to deny Luke James, seconds later, as the Highwaymen started to build up a head of steam.

The visitors were indebted to the assistant’s flag a moment later when Nic Bollado thought he had given the home side the lead.

Sporadic half chances punctuated the remainder of the half, but both sides sensed there was a goal to be had as the half-time interval drew the first period to a close.

The second half started in similar fashion, with Morpeth introducing Jordan Hickey off the bench to reinforce the midfield area.

Bollado, who had seen one ruled out in the first half, then saw a 48th minute effort agonisingly hit the inside of the post as Morpeth sought an opening goal to the game.

It should have gone the way of the visitors though on 52 minutes when Connor Smith turned and shot in the box from close range. However, his effort was headed on to the inside of the post and away by Henderson as Morpeth scrambled it clear.

They’d capitalise on that good fortune on 58 minutes, thanks to Nathan Buddle’s third goal of the season. He rose highest to meet Danny Barlow’s set-piece delivery, which had been spot on all afternoon, and send his header looping over Bland and into the net.

No more than they deserved, unfortunately Whitby would also get a deserved goal 11 minutes later when Walker guided home from close range after Morpeth failed to stop the cross from the right hand side.

Fenton John’s drive on 74 minutes nearly broke the deadlock, Bland flying to his right to deny the midfielder, and Henderson glanced a header wide on 85 minutes as Morpeth tried in vain to force a winner.

There was still time for a late penalty shout, Jerome Greaves being tripped in the box, but the referee waved away the appeals and the game ended in stalemate.

Town are next in action when they journey to Prescot Cables on Saturday (3pm).

MORPETH TOWN: Langley, Evans, Robson (Gibson-Booth 72’), Dowling (Hickey 46’), Henderson (c), Buddle, John, Barlow, Foalle, Bollado (Greaves 76’), James.

SUBS: King, Marshall.

WHITBY TOWN: Bland, Smith, Sukar (c), Wheatley, Whelan, Gell (Haswell 66’), Gibson, Hawkins, Charles (Hutchinson 85’), Walker, Collins (Doherty 66’).

SUBS: Thomas, Cranston.

ATT: 483