Boston United 0-0 FC Halifax Town

Two of the division’s fancied sides drew a blank as their respective steady starts to the Blue Square Bet North campaign continued — although both sides were left to rue the lack of a cutting edge.

Marc Newsham, Mickey Stones and Mikel Suarez came closest for the Pilgrims, while Tom Baker, James Dean and Aaron Hardy all threatened for Town.

The Pilgrims named an unchanged line-up ahead of kick-off — with striker Suarez replacing Jason Lee on the bench.

Stones suffered a head injury after an early clash with Halifax defender Liam Hogan — and returned to the fray sporting a heavily-bandaged head.

United carved out the first real chance of the game with Chris Hall drilling too high from 20 yards.

Halifax went even closer when Baker crashed a 25-yarder a fraction too high, with Paul Bastock beaten.

The Pilgrims should have taken the lead midway through the first half with Newsham’s glancing header flying just off target following Kevin Holsgrove’s left-wing cross. Stones had picked Holsgrove out with a pinpoint header.

United got even closer when Stones’ downward header was blocked on the line by Danny Lowe following Ryan Semple’s corner.

Halifax had the better of the chances after the break, with Bastock clutching James Dean’s rising drive, before expertly keeping out Baker’s deflected drive, following Harry Winter’s short free-kick.

Dean should have scored when he met Simon Garner’s corner — but he directed his header wide.

The Pilgrims had three presentable chances in the closing stages. The impressive Tom Ward had a header saved by Eastwood following Semple’s flag-kick, while Suarez headed down Jordan Fairclough's deep cross only for Danny Sleath to take one touch too many allowing Scott McManus to block.

Suarez then headed wide from Semple’s latest corner delivery.

Halifax came within a whisker of snatching all three points in stoppage time when Hardy met Garner’s cross with a firm header — which flew inches too high.

Boston (4-4-2): Paul Bastock; Liam Parker (Jordan Fairclough 46), Tom Ward, Alan White, Gareth Jelleyman; Ryan Semple, Chris Hall, Danny Sleath, Kevin Holsgrove; Mickey Stones (Mikel Suarez 61), Marc Newsham. Subs (not used): Kevin Austin, Ben Wilkinson, Harry Deane.

Halifax (3-5-2): Simon Eastwood; Liam Hogan, Gregg Anderson, Scott McManus; Aaron Hardy, Harry Winter, Tom Baker, Liam Needham (Simon Garner 71), Danny Lowe; James Dean, Lee Gregory (Scott Hogan 77). Subs (not used): Nick Gray, David Haggerty, Phil Senior (gk).

Referee: Darren England