And with the mist threatening to descend on Hillheads Park, it was fitting that the match should revolve around missed chances.

Ironically, each side's number 12 had the best chance to put their team ahead just minutes after each of them had replaced their respective number nines.

Both substitutions were made after 65 minutes and soon after Witton's replacement Marc Hawkes shot well over from 10 yards after receiving Charlie Boyd's inch-perfect shot.

Moments later, Bay sub Wayne Beech almost broke the deadlock, forcing a spectacular fingertip save from Scott Healey after rifling in a 30 yard drive.

That they were the best chances said much about the match.

The home side fielded a very young and inexperienced side, while Albion struggled up front with Darren Twigg slightly out of sorts.

Witton also lacked width on the left, because of an injury to Scott Brenchley and the absence of his replacement, Brian Griffiths, who looks likely to leave Wincham Park.

Both 'keepers got away with potentially costly mistakes in the opening stages but after the teams settled down, both had half chances.

Wayne Johnson had to block Scott Sloane's shot for Whitley and then Mike Turner missed Joey Roberts' cross.

Boyd shot narrowly wide before Whitley's best player David Mosley saw Healey scramble his goalbound shot to safety.

Bishop and Boyd both went close early in the second half before the substitutes' impact on a match characterised by some inconsistent refereeing.

With time running out, Boyd almost scored from an acrobatic scissors kick and Twigg was twice denied.

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