PRUDHOE YC Seniors survived late pressure to keep up their first point of the season.

Opponents Hazlerigg Victory had three clear cut chances in the dying minutes of the midweek Division Two clash, including a second penalty claim turned down, but the home side held on to secure the goalless draw.

The visitors were incensed that referee Colin Smith didn’t point to the spot when striker Mitchell Ramsay went down in the area following a challenge from John Hudson, Ramsay getting straight to his feet to be denied as goalkeeper Ryan Chambers dived at his feet.

Whether there was contact or not, the striker’s honesty and desire to continue playing may have swayed the referee into waving play on.

It added to further frustration when Lewis Strong fell in the area in the opening half under a challenge from Chambers, a sea of bodies preventing Smith getting a full view of the incident.

Hazlerigg were left cursing their lack of fortune as they piled the pressure on late on, Ramsay striking the post with an effort when clear on goal and Richard Coulson firing an opportunity over the top with the last action of the game.

The majority of the 90 minutes was devoid of real attacking chances, although both teams dominated in spells throughout.

After a slow start, Hazlerigg were the first to roll the dice with attacking full back Dave Adams creating two chances for himself. The right sided player cut in from the wing and hit a great effort from distance with his left foot, the ball bouncing awkwardly in front of Chambers who could only parry. The ball spilled to Strong who was upended in the aftermath, but Mr Smith deemed it a fair challenge from the goalkeeper.

Five minutes later and Adams again poured forward, this time opting to use his preferred right foot but sending a shot from a similar distance just wide.

The best Prudhoe could muster in the early exchanges was a left footed volley from Scott Douglas as a corner was cleared to him on the edge of the box, but his attempt went sailing over.

Towards the end of the half, it looked like it was only to be a matter of time before Prudhoe broke the deadlock though as they played some incisive, flowing football.

The best chance came courtesy of defender Jack Bell who brought the ball out from the back and continued his run to be played clear by a clever ball from Joe Finnerty, bearing down on goal only to be kept out by a diving save from Graham and a subsequent clearance off the line from Andrew Pearse.

Moments later, Andy Sagar sent a ball into the box and it took the fingertips of Graham to prevent it nestling into the back of the net.

The hosts continued to pour forward and a jinking run from right back Joel Armstrong saw him beat three defenders, and again an intervention from Graham came to Hazlerigg’s rescue as a strong hand to the cross prevented the ball reaching the far post when Prudhoe players were lining up for the tap in.

The second half didn’t provide the glut of attacking football the spectators were hoping for after a subdued opener, with long distance efforts the best either side could come up with early on.

Prudhoe carved the first real chance of the half as Sam Brown won the ball in the middle of the park with a strong tackle, before sending a great cross from deep into the box for Douglas whose header was tame and not troubling Graham.

Substitute Paddy Finnerty then had a drilled effort from outside the area go just wide, while Ramsay remained Victory’s biggest threat as he rounded Chambers but took the ball too wide to only find the side netting with his effort.

Again Prudhoe enjoyed a spell of dominance but Douglas fired wide after making good space to get his shot away, and Paddy Finnerty was denied by Graham following a great reverse pass from Douglas.

A 0-0 draw seemed the only outcome until Hazlerigg’s late assault in the last five minutes, Prudhoe managing to hang on by the skin of their teeth for a share of the spoils.

It saw them up-and-running for the new season, losing 3-1 on the opening day to Bedlington Town with Ben Dobson getting their only goal.