Winterton fielded arguably their strongest eleven for this short trip to Hall Road on the North Bank. But it was by no means their strongest performance with key players not at the races in a battling game of little quality on a very poor pitch in East Yorkshire .

In a game where it looked like one goal would win it, Rangers leading scorer Rob Northen could have wrapped it up inside three minutes when a Winterton free- kick into the box was cleared away, Billy Green dropped the ball onto his toe in the box but Northen’s low drive went wide with only the keeper to beat. Then Holt could have grabbed one, two minutes later when given two stabs at shooting, only he shot wide.

Hall Road packed the middle of the park and defended in numbers, it was up to Winterton to break them down but when they did get into the box the Hall road Keeper Gavin Kelly tidied up convincingly.

With two ex-Rangers players leading the attack for Hall Road, Jamie Barnwell and Rhys Pindar, the Winterton back four were on familiar territory but had to contend with lumped balls from the Hall Road keeper. It took 23 minutes for Hall Road to create a meaningful attack when Barnwell looked to be clean through but for the Pace of Ross Haywood to stand up well to dispossess him.

Three minutes later Catton and Northen linked on the right before Northen’s cross looked destined for Holt at the far post but a trailing Hall road leg deflected the ball behind him and the chance was gone. Hall Road made a few chances along the way but mainly through long throws from the keeper. Pindar was found one on one with Green in just a move but Billy Green was on his game and he came away with the ball.30mins.

Two minutes later and a Hall Road corner was cleared up field by Green to Whitehouse, and Rangers were three on two but Whitey mistimed his pass and the defender cleared. It was the story of the half, Winterton doing their best to break the deadlock. A succession of throws into the box had Walmsley head on for Holt , Northen and Catton to make an attempt on goal but a Northen header, Holt overhead kick and a ball taken off Catton’s toe on the edge of the box was all they had to show as the half came to a close. Catton had another chance when a Whitehouse cross from the left to Catton’s feet on the edge of the box but he volleyed wide.

HALF TIME 0-0

Early in the second half Mark Whitehouse, back after injury had another chance from the edge of the box after a long throw, but he snatched at his shot and fired well wide. Hall Road then began to dominate as Winterton midfield disappeared, Barnwell jumped at Simpson in the Rangers goal for what seemed a certain foul but Simpson did well to clear. 50mins.

In fifteen minutes of sustained pressure, Captain Steve Robinson marshaled the back four to clear any danger in and around the box. Although on 59minutes a cross from the left flashed across the face before Haywood cleared away.

Dave Ricardo was carrying the Winterton midfield on his own, Danny Clarke against his old side was a passenger and then the pitch had sapped the effectiveness of Catton and Whitehouse.

As the sixtieth minute came the Hall Road pressure broke and Rangers gradually started to press the opposite box. A Green throw on the right to Walmsley was laid back to Holt, but the youngster had to hurry his shot and it bobbled past the far post with the keeper beaten. Hall Road responded when Barnwell held the ball well before feeding the ball out to the right where a fierce drive was brilliantly saved by Simpson. 72mins

Pete Daniel made a double substitution, Dale replaced Whitehouse and Atkinson came on for a limping Walmsley. With the game now ebbing and flowing Winterton still created the best of the chances. A free kick into the box saw Holt feed Ricardo on the edge but he fired well over 76mins.

On 84mins Ex Hall Road manager Matty Edeson replaced Andy Holt, two minutes later Hall roads Exley fired into the side netting with Simpson covering the near post. But with only two minutes to go Winterton could have snatched it. Rob Northen got to the by-line and pulled his cross back into the box where Ricardo closed in but fired side footed over the bar from 8yards out.

FINAL SCORE 0-0

With too many players below par Rangers ended up happy with a point, and other results meant they stayed in sixth position in the league.