Whitby 1 Hednesford 0

Any lingering hopes the Pitmen had of making a late run for a play-off place blew away at windy Whitby Town as keeper Ben Scott saw red.

The weather conditions, for the second season running, and a pitch which could have done with a visit from a roller ensured that any flowing football was a fanciful thought.

Whitby were boosted by the recall of prolific striker Danny Brunskill and he was soon in action, setting up Karl Charlton who was tackled just as he was about to shoot. 

Sam Hall the broke away for the visitors and his cross- cum-shot bounced off the crossbar.

The Pitmen should have taken a deserved lead in the 18th minute, when Ross Dyer set up Liam McDonald for a glorious chance only for him to fluff his kick.

Whitby took the lead in the 43rd minute when a long throw was not cleared and Tom Rawhit a well placed first time shot wide of Scott.

McDonald had a chance to level the scores but his shot from the edge of the box was saved by Campbell.

May left the pitch holding his hamstring and did not return for the second half, replaced by Alan Nagington. 

Charlton should have wrapped up the points for Whitby in the 54th minute when, with only Scott to beat, he smacked the ball over the bar.

he hit his shot a couple of metres over the crossbar.

Any chance of the Pitmen getting anything from the game went up in smoke on 69 minutes when Scott raced out of his area to make a high challenge on Tom Raw. He took the ball but unfortunately took Raw as well.

 The referee had no hesitation in showing Scott a red card. Tom Marshall took over the goalkeeper’s shirt and was called upon to make two good saves before the final whistle.

 His first save was in the 75th minute when he dropped to his knees to safely collect a 20 yard shot from Tom Claisse then in added on time he made a great save diving to get a hand on a firm shot from Alex Rhodes.

David Campbell will not have many quieter games as this game was for the Whitby keeper, he was only called into any serious action by full back Sam Hall who had a 20 yard effort saved in the 75th minute and in added on time Hall was denied by Campbell when he held onto a free kick from 25 yards.

Whitby Town: Campbell, Lyth, Tobin, Claisse, Forster,Ormerod (Rhodes 90), Burton,

Brumwell, Raw (Gildea 86), Brunskill, Charlton. Sub not used : Garvie

Hednesford Town: Scott, Hall, Adams, Sheppard (Maguire 64), Marshall, B.Brown, Pedro, W.Dyer,

May (Nagington 45), R.Dyer, McDonald (A.Brown 75)

Referee  Mr R.J.Madley (Ossett)

Attendance  252